The Viscount Stansgate FRSB addressed the House of Lords during a debate on Friday 17 January 2025 on the Consumer Products (Control of Biocides) Bill, with a briefing provided by the Royal Society of Biology.

The Viscount began by highlighting that the Bill brings forward issues that the House and the Government must address.

Perspectives on the use of biocides are complex as they present both beneficial opportunities as well as risks, affecting the economy, environmental sustainability, and public health.

The use-case for biocides includes their contribution to the protection of public health through infection control by reducing the spread of harmful pathogens. The growing market for agricultural biologicals may also offer economic, and sustainable farming, opportunities. Conversely, the uncontrolled use of some biocides can negatively affect biodiversity and environmental health. Use of biocides can also contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a distinct risk to public health.

Within scientific literature there is great emphasis on the need for a deeper understanding of the interaction with and impact of pesticides, insecticides, and biocides on microbial communities. There are challenges to ensuring the responsible use of biocides, especially in terms of regulation, adoption, and education.

The Viscount concluded by asking several questions, including if the Government is prepared to take a detailed look at the use of biocides in consumer products.

This news story covers comments from the RSB’s briefing and the Viscount Stansgate’s address. These comments are not the formal position of the RSB and do not equate to endorsement. The comments given in the briefing were a rapid-action summary based on relevant external reports from RSB Member Organisations and external bodies accessed in January 2025.