Request for a preliminary ruling from the Oberlandesgericht Köln (Germany) lodged on 23 January 2020 — Biofa AG v Sikma D. Vertriebs GmbH und Co. KG

(Case C-29/20)

(2020/C 191/05)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Oberlandesgericht Köln

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Biofa AG

Defendant: Sikma D. Vertriebs GmbH und Co. KG

Question referred

Where an active substance is approved in an implementing regulation adopted pursuant to Article 9(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, (1) can it be taken as given in court proceedings in a Member State that the substance on which the approval is based is intended within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 to act by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action, or is it for the adjudicating national court to establish in fact whether the preconditions for the application of Article 3(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 are fulfilled even after an implementing regulation has been adopted?

(1)  Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products (OJ 2012 L 167, p. 1).