EUのバイオサイド指令では、biocidal products を 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. と定義しています。また、同指令の前文では、biocides, formerly known as non-agricultural pesticides と説明しています。