ECHA

The new release of R4BP 3 was published in early December. It is a major upgrade that comes with many new features making it easier for applicants to submit their biocides applications. The improvements have been developed based on feedback received from users. Read what you can do with the new features and learn about the new editor to create summaries of product characteristics.

R4BP 3 is the single point of entry when working on biocides applications. It allows you to securely interact with authorities and is well-protected data archive. There are 27 additional processes which are defined in the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) that have been included in this latest version of R4BP 3. You can now do more with this one single tool.

Presenting and connecting data in R4BP 3 is improved. For example, links between granted authorisations are visible, clearly improving the overview of your products.

With the new release all national authorisations for biocidal products and ongoing applications are now in R4BP 3. From 3 December 2014, only one system has been in place: R4BP 3. This means that applications for national authorisation of biocidal products which started in R4BP2 will be processed in R4BP 3.

Easier mutual recognition in parallel

If you need an authorisation to use your product in more than one European country, you no longer have to submit multiple applications separately. Once you have applied for your initial product authorisation, you can choose all the countries where you want to apply for mutual recognition in parallel and the application will be submitted automatically to all of your chosen countries.

Nominate, delegate and transfer rights

The new release also allows you to nominate, delegate and transfer rights on your products to another company. For example, if you want a consultant to take care of some of your applications, you nominate them to this role and define which authorisation they are allowed to work for you. You can also allow another company to apply for a ‘same biocidal product' directly in R4BP 3.2 by giving access to the authorisation in your portfolio. This is the case if another company wants to bring a product on the market that is identical to yours and it is in a country where you are already selling the product. R4BP 3.2 also now enables you to acquire a product or a product range from a competitor. Once the legal entities have agreed, the transfer of the product ownership is initiated by the previous owner.

Reduced fees for SMEs

If your company is a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), you can benefit from reduced fees under the BPR. To do this, you need to submit evidence of your company size to ECHA. You can now apply for a check of your SME status directly in R4BP 3.2. The tool includes a wizard that tells you which documents you need to submit. The wizard also provides additional material if you need more support.

Know what's going on with your application

R4BP 3.2 sends you email alerts to help you to keep up-to-date with your application. Anytime there is a change in the status of your application, the system will send you an email message to inform you. It will also indicate if an action is needed.

When you need a paper version of a decision you have received in R4BP 3 you can download a copy of your application in PDF format and print it. Finally, you can also export lists of data on applications and decisions from your R4BP 3 account in Excel format for offline use.

Prepare your Summary of Product Characteristics with the new editor

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) is a requirement for many product-related applications. It is a public document and includes, for example, the product trade name and instructions for its safe use. A new online tool, the SPC editor, helps you to create this document in the new format that is necessary for product authorisations. It can be used for single products or for whole product families. Soon, the tool will be available in all EU languages and Norwegian.

To get started with R4BP 3.2, check ECHA's Biocides Submission Manuals.

Further information:

• R4BP 3 support
• Biocides Submission Manuals
• SPC editor
• News alert about SPC Editor
• Biocides terminology – in 23 languages

Text by Livia Briese and Päivi Jokiniemi

Top image: ECHA