Biocides for material preservation: BIT and terbutryn not approved for product-type 9, TMAD for product-type 12, while cypermethrin and etofenprox lose approval for wood preservation — three 2026 decisions
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1420, published on 3 July 2026, does not approve terbutryn and 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) for product-type 9 (fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives) or TMAD for product-type 12 (slimicides). Earlier, Decisions 2026/378 and 2026/1112 did not renew the approval of etofenprox (product-types 8 and 18) and cypermethrin (product-type 8 — wood preservatives), because the applicants withdrew their renewal applications.
- Decision 2026/1420 concerns substance/product-type combinations in the review programme for existing active substances (Annex II to Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2014) for which all participants withdrew and nobody answered ECHA’s open invitation to take over the participant role: terbutryn (EC 212-950-5, CAS 886-50-0, rapporteur SK), BIT (EC 220-120-9, CAS 2634-33-5, ES) and TMAD (EC 226-408-0, CAS 5395-50-6, ES). The decision entered into force on the twentieth day after publication.
- Under Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, product-type 9 covers products for preserving fibrous or polymerised materials such as leather, rubber, paper or textile products, and product-type 12 covers slimicides used, among others, on wood and paper pulp. The decision says nothing about other product-types of these substances.
- Etofenprox (Decision 2026/378, published on 23 February): its product-type 8 approval was extended twice, most recently until 31 October 2026, partly because of studies on endocrine-disrupting properties; on 12 June 2025 the applicant withdrew the applications for product-types 8 and 18. Treated articles treated with or intentionally incorporating etofenprox may not be placed on the market from 11 September 2026.
- Cypermethrin (Decision 2026/1112, published on 26 May): the product-type 8 approval had been extended until 30 November 2027, but the applicant withdrew the renewal application on 21 May 2025. Treated articles treated with or intentionally incorporating cypermethrin for wood preservation may not be placed on the market from 22 December 2026 — a new cut-off date for laboratories testing wood and wood products for compliance.