"One Substance, One Assessment" Principle: B-risk tool for Biocides Standardizes Bee Risk Launched

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced the launch of the B-risk for biocides online tool. This new resource is designed to support the assessment of the risks that biocidal products pose to bees. It is intended to assist businesses, scientists, and authorities in evaluating the hazards that biocidal agents pose to bees. It was developed as a joint effort under the "one substance, one assessment" concept.

Extending the Reach of Bee Risk Assessment

The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) popular B-risk tool, initially created for plant protection products (pesticides), has been modified to create the B-risk for biocides tool. By customizing it to the unique demands of biocidal products, particularly insecticides, the new tool directly assists users in conducting complete risk assessments under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

This initiative aligns with broader EU initiatives aimed at reversing the decline in pollinator populations. It is essential for promoting bee health and biodiversity throughout Europe.

Key Benefits and Alignment with New Guidance

The new tool is meant to ensure compliance with the ECHA Bee Guidance, which was published in 2024, and will be essential for biocides evaluations submitted from February 2026 onwards.

Key features and benefits of the B-risk for biocides tool include:

• Biocide-Specific Exposure Assessment: Tailored to mimic the unique ways bees may be exposed to biocidal products.
• User-Friendly Interface: A step-by-step layout that automates intricate calculations.
• Scientific Alignment: Fosters a common understanding of risk and is in line with the scientific principles outlined in EFSA's 2023 Bee Guidance for pesticides.
• Integrated Support: An integrated user handbook gives clear guidance throughout the evaluation process.

Access and Platform Details

The B-risk tool is available to users via ECHA's Support pages and is hosted on EFSA’s R4EU site. It is web-based and does not require installation. Registration on the R4EU portal and acceptance of EFSA’s conditions of usage are mandatory to access the tool.

The development of the B-risk for Biocides tool is a significant step in preparing for ECHA's 2024 Guidance on assessing risks to bees from the use of biocides, published in February 2024. This guidance will apply to new biocide evaluation applications submitted from February 2026 onwards. However, it will not apply to active chemicals currently included in the review process.

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