Creosote has been approved for continued use under the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD).
Creosote will now be added to Annex 1 of the BPD which lists approved substances.
The European Commission announcement follows an extensive review of the properties of creosote and a public consultation.
The Wood Protection Association (WPA) played a significant part in this process which highlighted compelling socio-economic reasons for creosote’s continued use. The BPD Annex 1 listing is effective from 1 May 2013 for an initial period of five years.
“The WPA has worked hard to ensure the benefits of using creosote as a high performance treatment was not lost,” said WPA Creosote Group Chairman, Willie Clason.
“We welcome the announcement but this is no time for complacency – we will continue to work hard to maintain creosote’s approval after 2018.”
Creosote has now been submitted for authorisation at EU member state level.
In the UK, existing approvals for creosote under the Control of Pesticides Regulations will continue until May 2013 by which time applications for authorisation under the BPD system must be submitted to HSE. Use will then continue as before until a decision on UK authorisation is made.
Existing approved creosote uses are limited to professional and industrial applications including railways, electrical power transmission and telecommunications, fencing, agricultural purposes, harbours and waterways.
Other uses that may involve frequent skin contact such as inside buildings, playgrounds and outdoor leisure facilities are not permitted.
