TABLE OF CONTENTS Legislation on the use of biocides in plastics varies by country and application.
In the United States the Treated Article Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice 2001-1 provides guidance on what products are required to be registered as mentioned by Tesch (49). Any public health claims or reference to human pathogenic bacteria would require registration whereas any non-specific claims or protection of treated articles would not. Acceptable statements regarding claims have been mentioned.
Those statements not acceptable without registration, would be:
Antibacterial, bactericidal or germicidal.
Reduces risk of food-borne illness from bacteria.
Improves indoor air-quality through the reduction of microorganisms.
Provides a surface resistant to bacteria or germs.
Minimises the growth of gram positive or gram negative bacteria.
Those statements that would be acceptable would be:
Formulated to resist mould or mildew growth on the paint film.
Treated to resist deterioration by mould or fungus.
Inhibits bacteria causing odours.
Contains an antimicrobial agent to control odours.
Where marketing claims have been made contrary to these guidelines the EPA has taken steps to penalise companies. One reported case is that of Hasbro Inc., and Microban, (257) who were fined $125,000 over marketing claims that the use of Microban antibacterial in its toys had germ-fighting properties.
Within Europe, only certain regulations are currently enforced in relation to food contact applications in particular.
These are relevant to the standard from the European Food Standards Agency (EFSA), commission directive 2004/19/EC of 1 March 2004 amending directive 2002/72/EC relating to plastic materials...
