Swimming pool salt and biocide regulations: what do you need to know?
Attention: due to European biocide regulations, it is important to carefully check which type of swimming pool salt you use. Only salt that complies with European biocide legislation is permitted. In addition, it is important not to use salt containing anti-caking agents in your pool.
What are biocides?
In Europe, strict regulations on biocides have been in place for some time. Biocides are products that kill harmful organisms such as bacteria, algae or fungi. Common examples include insecticides, algaecides, disinfectants… and also chlorine.
Because chlorine is a biocide, everything used to produce it — so-called precursors — also falls under this legislation.
Since 2014, swimming pool salt used for the in situ generation of chlorine has therefore also been subject to the Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) 528/2012. This means that only registered swimming pool salt may be used. The use of non-registered swimming pool salt is prohibited.
European standard for swimming pool salt
In addition, another European standard applies to the treatment of pool water with an electrochlorinator. This standard (EN 16401) establishes which requirements the swimming pool salt needs to meet in terms of composition, purity, moisture content and packaging.
For swimming pool applications, salt that has been enriched with an anti-caking agent (E536 or E535) can no longer be used.
For swimming pool applications, salt that has been enriched with an anti-caking agent (E536 or E535) can no longer be used.
Seal of approval: POOLSEL® swimming pool salt
POOLSEL®, made from very pure sea salt, is free from additives and anti-caking agents, complies with the biocide regulations and the EN 16401 standard. This efficient swimming pool salt prevents algae and guarantees enhanced swimming comfort.
