In February, a workshop was held within HELCOM on release of biocides from antifouling products used in recreational craft. EBI participated in the workshop in its role as observer at HELCOM.

The workshop was the starting point for implementation of one of the key actions of the Baltic Sea Action Plan with the aim to: "Minimize the release of biocides from antifouling products to the marine environment, and preferably by 2027 replace the use of biocidal antifouling products with biocide-free alternatives on structures, equipment and recreational craft in cases not already subject to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships when available and environmentally and technically feasible."

In the meeting, there was board support to prioritise recreational boats as the main source of biocide releases ahead of aquaculture or wind farms.  Regulatory pressure is increasing at national level with Finland having already introduced strict limits on copper leaching and banned biocidal paints on boats under 7 m. Sweden is considering similar measures from 2026 onward. This signals a likely regional tightening of rules affecting product availability.

The workshop summarised that biocide-free alternatives are advancing, but not mature yet. Studies also flagged health and environmental risks from some biocide-free products (e.g. solvents, microplastics). Authorities are clear that alternatives will also be scrutinised, not automatically favoured. Legacy TBT remains an issue, as old underlying coatings on old boats may still release TBT during maintenance and cleaning despite TBT ban in 1989. According to studies from Sweden, this may be the case for 10-15% of boats. There was repeated emphasis that measures must be simple, practical and user-oriented, and that boaters and industry need to be part of solution design - an explicit point raised by EBI.

Sweden is also pushing to change authorisation of antifouling products at EU level. Current EU rules allow results from a single marine area to be applied across all regions and Sweden will push for products to be tested in the Baltic Sea too in order to prevent “overly effective products” in the Baltic Sea.

Germany and Sweden are likely to co-lead a HELCOM task group on implementation with a recommendation and roadmap planned to achieve reduction/end of biocidal antifouling for recreational craft.

From the side of industry, there are several points of concern, including a risk of further fragmentation of rules across Europe, uncertainty for industry and boaters due to mixed evidence on alternatives and potentially fast-moving policy deadlines. There is also a growing focus on microplastics, in-water cleaning and secondary impacts, not just biocides, that may affect availability of non-biocide alternatives.

EBI will continue to be involved as official HELCOM observer, but also encourages members to discuss this with their national authorities and other stakeholders.