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July 28, 2025
The certibiocide Is a certificate required since July 1, 20151. It authorizes the use and sale of certain biocidal products. It is personal, given to a natural person.2. A decree of October 9, 2013 made it mandatory to obtain it. This decree sets out the work rules for those who handle or sell these products.
Since January 1, 2024, there are 3 types of certibiocide2:
This change helps to better manage and use the biocidal products.2
Only the biocidal products for professionals are examined. Their misuse could harm the environment2.These products, divided into types (TP), require a certibiocide specific2.
Are involved the people who use these biocidal products for their work.2The sellers of these biocidal products must also have it.2Finally, those who buy these products must ensure certification from their supplier.2.
Biocidal products help to kill or repel pests. They target fungi, bacteria, rodents and insects. They are important for disinfection, wood protection and for combating crop pests. But you have to use them with care. Any damage to health and the environment must be prevented.3
The Certibiocide certification was created to train professionals. It has been mandatory in France since 2015 for those who handle these products. This includes buying and selling certain biocidal products.3
The Certibiocide certification was launched to better control the use of biocidal products. It ensures the safe and effective use of these items.4 All businesses must follow this certification. They need to train their teams on how to use these dangerous products properly.4
Since July 1, 2015, a professional must have the Certibiocide certificate to source, use or sell biocides.5 This certificate shows that he is familiar with their employment and management.4 This guarantees their safe and effective use by professionals.4
This certification requires 21 hours of training in three days. The pros must have it if they work with biocides.4 It educates them and makes them responsible. This applies to ensuring safe use for health and the environment.4Each year, these companies must also report this to the Ministry of the Environment if they manage biocides for professionals.5 This statement facilitates monitoring and encourages appropriate use of these products by companies.5
To effectively prepare for your Certibiocide certification with digital training, here are some key steps:
Sinfony, as an innovator in the e-learning sector for life sciences, including the pharmaceutical sector in France, offers an innovative approach to training employees in the required regulations. Through blended learning onboarding and a shared digital catalog, Sinfony offers certifying and personalized training courses. This method reduces costs while making essential technical skills more accessible through digitalization.
Sinfony effectively prepares for Certibiocide certification, meeting regulatory requirements and the cost and effectiveness challenges of professional training.
January 1, 2024 marked a significant change. Three new certificates replace the old single Certibiocide. These certificates cover more products, going from 5 to a dozen.6Professionals will have until December 31, 2024 to obtain these new certificates.6 The validity period remains the same: 5 years since it was obtained.6
Since 2024, Certibiocide has evolved into three distinct categories. There will be certificates for disinfectants, pest control products and other biocidal products.2 Some sectors may benefit from exceptions. This includes food production, fire departments, and the military.6 Businesses will have 6 months to adjust.6
Today 2024, Certibiocide is found in three distinct categories. The Certibiocide for infectants requires 7 hours of training.7 The one for pests, which already exists, requires a three-day training course.7 A new certificate for other biocidal products will require one day of training.7 All of these certificates must be renewed every 5 years.7 Professionals need to fully understand these changes.7
To be linked to Certibiocide certificate, the product must have two characteristics:2 It should target professionals only.2 This is based on the description of users in its sales authorization.
The certibiocide applies to certain biocides. This is specified in a list of the types of biocidal products.2 These products are chosen for their potential danger, especially for the most vulnerable, such as children or the elderly.2 They include disinfectants, rodenticides, avicides, insecticides and more.8Type of certibiocideProducts concernedDisinfectant certibiocidesTP2, TP3, TP4Harmful certibiocideTP14, TP18, TP20Certibiocide other productsTP8, TP15, TP21From 1 January 2024, three certibiocides will be available:
Certibiocide mainly concerns professional users of biocides. This includes those who are not “individuals.” Their use of biocides must be linked to their work.8Since October 9, 2013, a certificate for these professionals has been established. It is called the Certibiocide.8 Obtaining this certificate has been mandatory since July 1, 2015 to practice.Professionals active in the purchase, use, or distribution of biocides are concerned. This includes disinfectants, rodenticides, insecticides, and more. Currently, only certain product categories require Certibiocide. These are categories 8, 14, 15, 15, 18, and 20.6 But, starting in 2024, there will be 3 new different certificates. They will cover disinfectants, pest control products, and other types. For products in categories TP 2, 3, 4, and 21, professionals have until the end of 2024 to obtain their Certibiocide.6 After having it, this certificate will be valid for 5 years. There are exemptions. For example, firefighters, soldiers, and vector control personnel in times of epidemic do not need Certibiocide. In addition, businesses can use biocides for 6 months without training. But it should be under the supervision of a person with the correct certificate. In this case, only 1/10 of the employees may be affected.6
The Certibiocide certification is aimed at professionals working with biocidal products. This includes those who use them for work, not at home.2
Who is a biocide pro? It is anyone who buys, uses or sells these products for their work. These are businesses, associations, artisans, etc.8
Certibiocide speaks to several areas. For example:8
Since July 1, 2015, all these professionals must have the Certibiocide.8
Since July 1, 2015, distributors of biocidal products must have the Certibiocide certificate4. This rule applies to all businesses selling or distributing these products.4. The aim is to guarantee good advice on the choice of suitable biocides.4.To obtain the certificate, distributors undergo a 21-hour training course. It takes place in three days or in a single day for those who have the “Certiphyto”4. It is not necessary to have any prerequisites for the training4. Once acquired, the certificate is valid for a maximum of 5 years8. Every year, companies must also register with the Ministry of the Environment8.Since its implementation in 2013, Certibiocide has been strengthened by regular orders8. The purpose of these decisions is to organize the activity of distributors of biocidal products more efficiently.8. In addition, an application has been developed to facilitate the procedures related to the certificate.8.
The certibiocide concerns users, distributors and buyers of biocidal products. Indeed, to buy professional biocides, you must have a certificate.9 This concerns any company that aims at these specific products. Each certificate lasts up to 5 years. It proves that whoever has it knows how to use biocides well.10 There are three months to get it after asking for it. Meanwhile, someone who already has the certibiocide should help. Sellers of these products should keep a record of sales. They should note the types of biocides, the quantities and the certificates of the purchasers.9 This rule ensures that these products are left only to qualified people.10
The Certibiocide certification is an individual certificate intended for professionals using or distributing certain types of biocidal products, intended for disinfection and pest control. It is mandatory to comply with the provisions of the 2013 decree relating to the conditions for exercising professional user activity.Why is Certibiocide certification necessary in 2024? From 2024, the requirements for the safety and regulation of biocides are strengthened. The Certibiocide certification guarantees that professionals have received the appropriate training and are authorized to handle and distribute certain types of biocidal products safely. How long is the Certibiocide certificate valid for? The Certibiocide certificate is generally valid for five years. After this period, it is necessary to undergo a new authorized training course in order to renew it.Where can one follow the Certibiocide training? Certibiocide training can be taken in a training center authorized by the competent authorities. These training centers offer programs adapted to the requirements of the 2013 decree relating to the conditions for exercising professional user activity.What types of biocidal products are concerned by Certibiocide certification? Certibiocide certification concerns the use and distribution of certain types of biocidal products intended for disinfection, pest control, and other similar uses that require safe and certified handling.Is the Certibiocide certification different from Certiphyto? Yes, Certibiocide certification is specific to certain types of biocidal products, while Certiphyto concerns the use of plant protection products in the agricultural sector. They meet different regulations and conditions of practice.What are the conditions for exercising the activity of professional user with Certibiocide certification? The conditions for exercising the activity of professional user with Certibiocide certification include compliance with safety and environmental regulations, the application of good professional practices, and regular training to stay up to date with the standards.Is it mandatory to pass the Certibiocide to handle biocides? Yes, it is mandatory to pass the Certibiocide in order to be able to handle and distribute certain types of biocidal products legally. This includes certibiocide training and obtaining an individual certificate for the use of these products. Who can issue Certibiocide certification? The Certibiocide certification is issued by a training organization authorized and recognized by the competent authorities. These organizations ensure that the training complies with the provisions of the 2013 decree relating to the conditions for exercising the activity of professional user.