According to Regulation (EU) 528/2012 biocides are:
- Any substance or mixture in the form in which it is supplied to the user, consisting of, containing or capable of generating one or more active substances, with the aim of destroying, eliminating, rendering harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action;
- Any substance or mixture, generated from substances or mixtures which are not covered as such in the first indent, used with the intent to destroy, eliminate, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action;
- A treated article that has a primary biocide function is considered a biocide.