The OECD Biocides Programme, which was established in 1996, has focused on helping governments to increase the efficiency in the registration of biocides.   The first activity was a survey to determine how Member countries regulate biocides.

Following this survey, the Programme was organized to best meet the needs of governments, by focusing on:

(1) harmonising testing of product efficacy to ensure the validity of label claims;
(2) producing “emission scenario” documents that predict how much of certain biocides will get into the environment, how long they will last, and what the effects will be, and
(3) facilitating the sharing of data and reviews across governments via the establishment of a registration review schedule database, and working to develop harmonised templates for documenting test study reports and summaries.

The specific outputs from the three areas of work include:

(1) Work toward Harmonising Product Efficacy Testing
- The Summary Report of the OECD Efficacy Workshop on Certain Antimicrobial Biocides held on 22-24 April 2002
- Report of the Harmonisation of Hard Surface Disinfectant Methodology in OECD Countries (coming soon)
- Report of the Harmonisation of Treated Articles Disinfectant Methodology in OECD Countries (coming soon)

(2) Support for Conducting Environmental Exposure Assessments

(3) Facilitate the Sharing of Data and Reviews in OECD countries
- The OECD has developed a database which lists thousands of schedules for government reviews of active ingredients in biocides and pesticides.  With such information, a government planning a review can identify if other governments have also reviewed a substance, or will review it, which facilitates the sharing of assessment reports.