Dutch biocides authority open to extending dossier deadlines
2020-07-15
The Dutch competent authority (CA) for biocides (Ctgb) has become the first member state authority to agree to extend the deadlines for dossiers in light of the Covid-19 crisis.
In an announcement published on 1 July, the CA acknowledged that there could be associated delays in compiling dossiers for biocidal substances and product authorisations.
It suggests companies apply for an extension to the submission deadlines for their dossiers if the reasons are “thoroughly substantiated and related to Covid-19”.
The applicant must explain why and how much extra time they need, “preferably” with supporting documentation from testing laboratories, and what actions they have already taken to prevent or limit the delay.
Ctgb’s announcement follows concerns that data collection may come up against full capacity at testing laboratories, which are prioritising Covid-19 work, including testing disinfectants for their efficacy against the virus.
Extensions will be granted “only once and for a short period” of one or a few months, the CA said.
The Netherlands is the first member state authority to have come forward with an official statement on extending deadlines for biocides dossiers, Chemical Watch understands.
Consultancy Arche says its attempts to apply for deadline extensions with other member state authorities have been unsuccessful, although it expects CAs could be open to accommodating applicants that have proof that their chosen laboratory cannot finish testing in time because of capacity constraints.
“It might be case-specific, but we are happy to see Ctgb putting out a formal statement and hope that others will follow,” said Arche consortium manager, Katinka Renoult and senior project scientist, Barbara Dhoop.
“There is clearly a need for it, especially with labs being busy testing disinfectants.”
An overarching approach for deadline extensions from the European Commission has, so far, not been developed. However, Echa announced in March that it would extend some deadlines to help companies.
Chemical Watch, 15 July 2020
; https://chemicalwatch.com/134667