Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/390 of 23 February 2026 concerning the extension of the action taken by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management permitting the making available on the market and use of the biocidal product Vectobac WG in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2026) 980)
Date: 2026-02-23
Institutions: Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Subjects: Netherlands, biocide, chemical product, health risk, insect, insecticide, market approval








L_202600390EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/390


25.2.2026







            COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2026/390
of 23 February 2026
         
concerning the extension of the action taken by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management permitting the making available on the market and use of the biocidal product Vectobac WG in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council


(notified under document C(2026) 980)


(Only the Dutch text is authentic)


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,


Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (1), and in particular Article 55(1), third subparagraph, thereof,

Whereas:







(1)


On 1 May 2025, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (‘the Dutch competent authority’) adopted, in accordance with Article 55(1), first subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, a decision to permit, until 28 October 2025 the making available on the market and use by professionals of the biocidal product Vectobac WG for the control of larvae and adult invasive exotic mosquitos in indoor locations (‘the action’). The Dutch competent authority informed the Commission and the competent authorities of the other Member States of the action and the justification for it, in accordance with Article 55(1), second subparagraph, of that Regulation.












(2)


The biocidal product Vectobac WG is a biocidal product of product-type 18 (insecticides, acaricides and products to control other arthropods), as defined in Annex V to Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. It contains Bacillus thuringiensis subsp israelensis strain AM 65-52 as active substance and is authorised in the Netherlands only for outdoor use. The action allowed the indoor use of Vectobac WG, in locations where the presence of invasive exotic mosquitos are detected, by professional users.












(3)


According to the information provided by the Dutch competent authority, the action was necessary in order to protect public health. Invasive exotic mosquitos, such as Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, can act as a vector for the transmission of tropical diseases, such as dengue and yellow fever and may endanger public health. The presence of invasive exotic mosquitoes has been detected in the Netherlands not only outdoors, but also in indoor locations, such as ports and airports. According to the Dutch competent authority, no alternatives are available for the control of invasive exotic mosquitos and their larvae in indoor locations.












(4)


On 2 September 2025, the Commission received a reasoned request from the Dutch competent authority to allow the extension of the action in accordance with Article 55(1), third subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. The reasoned request was based on concerns that the presence of exotic mosquitos may continue to be detected in indoor locations after 28 October 2025, posing a threat to public health, and the need to be able to control those mosquitos and to minimise the risk of potential diseases they can transmit.












(5)


According to the information provided by the Dutch competent authority, the intention to submit an application for authorisation of Vectobac WG covering also the indoor use was brought to its attention. The authorisation of the product for indoor use would represent a long-term solution for the use of Vectobac WG. Significant time is needed, however, for the preparation of the application and its subsequent evaluation.












(6)


The lack of proper control of invasive exotic mosquitos and their larvae might endanger public health and that danger cannot be adequately contained by using another alternatives. It is therefore appropriate to allow the Dutch competent authority to extend the action for a period of 550 days.












(7)


As the action expired on 28 October 2025, this Decision should apply retroactively.












(8)


The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Biocidal Products,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management may extend until 2 May 2027 the action permitting the making available on the market and use of the biocidal product Vectobac WG by professional users for the control of larvae and adult invasive exotic mosquitos in indoor locations, provided that it ensures that the product is only used in those locations where the presence of invasive exotic mosquitos has been detected.


Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
It shall apply from 29 October 2025.




Done at Brussels, 23 February 2026.


For the Commission

Olivér VÁRHELYI
            

Member of the Commission






(1)  
            OJ L 167, 27.6.2012, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/528/oj.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2026/390/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)