A Bill to restrict the use of biocides (substances with antimicrobial properties) in consumer products; add biocides to the list of substances which cosmetic products, personal care products, and treated articles must not contain except subject to restrictions; require the Secretary of State to monitor the impact of biocides in these products on antibiotic resistance; grant the Secretary of State, and require the use of, powers to reduce the use of biocides which cause antibiotic resistance; prohibit marketing that makes misleading claims about products containing biocides compared to soap and water or alcohol based sanitisers; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
24 January 2025
The bill would curb the use of biocides (substances with antimicrobial properties) in consumer products and add biocides to restrictions on cosmetics, personal care products, and treated articles. It would require the government to monitor how biocides affect antibiotic resistance and to use powers to reduce usage where needed, and it would stop marketing that misleadingly compares biocide-containing products to soap and water or alcohol sanitizers.
The bill is currently at Committee stage in the House of Lords, where it will be scrutinised and amendments considered before progressing further.
Generated 21 February 2026
Committee stage - line by line examination of the bill - is yet to be scheduled.
What happens next?
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - took place on 17 January.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
