Disinfectant classification concerns overlap with pesticide definitions, affecting whether tar acid formulations fall within pesticide regulatory coverage.

Definitions and regulatory scope are analysed to determine whether commercial formulations containing high boiling tar acids, used as germicidal disinfectants, fall within the broader term pesticide. Disinfectants are described as substances killing or inactivating microorganisms on inanimate objects; pesticides are described as inclusive of substances meant to prevent, destroy or mitigate pests including microorganisms; fungicides inhibit or destroy pathogenic fungi. A chemical report and tribunal observation noted the formulations were germicidal but left unclear whether those tar acid products are covered broadly by the term pesticide.

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