Strict rules
Dispensing restrictions for insecticides and wood preservatives from 2025
Updated on December 7th, 2024Reading time: 2 minutes
From 2025, stricter rules will apply to the sale of insecticides and wood preservatives. What does this mean for your next visit to the hardware store?
On January 1, 2025, new regulations for the sale of certain products containing biocides will come into force. They apply to insecticides and wood preservatives as well as pest baits. Here you can find out what you need to know when buying in brick-and-mortar stores or online.
The new regulations are based on the Biocide Law Implementation Ordinance and, in accordance with Section 10 ChemBiozidDV, affect the following biocidal agents:
From January 1, 2025, sellers of the above-mentioned products must, among other things, conduct a sales interview – regardless of whether they sell the product stationary or online. The seller must inform his customers comprehensively about the use, alternatives, dangers, storage and disposal of the product. The buyer must also be given instructions on how to behave in the event of an accident. The information should not, as has sometimes been the case up to now, only take place “on the side” during the checkout. Instead, the law requires a separate conversation.
Such information must also be provided in online trading. This can be done both by telephone and via video transmission. However, the conversation must then be documented or proven.
However: for products from the coating protection products, wood protection products and protection products for building materials categories, there is no need for a sales discussion if the buyers are private individuals.
In addition, certain biocidal products may no longer be offered in self-service areas in stationary stores. From January 1st, only those who have been admitted through the simplified admission process may still be offered at the self-service counter. All other means must be issued by the seller upon customer request.
The new, stricter requirements are intended to protect both consumers and the environment from improper use of the funds.
