Biocide

Chemical agent capable to destroy living organisms

According to the European Directive 98/8/EC biocidal products are “active substances and preparations containing one or more active substances, put up in the form in which they are supplied to the user, intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, prevent the action of, or otherwise exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by chemical or biological means“.
“Biocide” is therefore a generic term comprising algicides, bactericides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and others.