Biocides are intended to kill living micro-organisms and thus protect the leather.
However, because of their disruptive nature, biocides can potentially pose a risk to the environment and human health, if not handled correctly. Using the example of the European Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR, Regulation (EU) 528/2012) we see why a risk assessment of biocide applications is not only useful but absolutely necessary.
Today, biocides are developed in a way that minimizes environmental and human risk and at the same time provide an optimized efficacy. With increasingly tight regulations a trend towards “greener”, nature-based biocides can be anticipated.
