Since 1998, the European Biocidal Products Directive (BPD; 98/8/EC), applied to 23 product types (PT) for specific uses, including PT 21 the « antifouling products », regulates biocidal products before they are placed on the market. On the one hand, the efficacy of active substances and their formulations must be demonstrated for their specific employment ; on the other hand their non impact on workers neither users and environment must be proved and specifically against non target species. Standard protocols for the assessment of efficacy or ecotoxicity of antifouling substances are proposed within the framework of the Ecopaint and Paintclean projects which are founded by the french industry Ministery and labellised by the “Pôle Mer” (Paca and Brittany). The potential toxicity of actives substances as well as paints or their elutriates is assessed in vitro on six trophic levels following marine TGD recommendations (2003): bacteria, phytoplancton, crustacea, mollusc, echinoderm and fish. The potential impact of antifouling paints on the modification of the condition index of oysters (10 to 12 months exposure) is observed in situ. The efficacy of active substances and paints is also tested both in vitro and in situ In in vitro testing, the adhesion of marine pioneer bacteria is followed in presence of not of the active substances . While the biofouling development is observed on painted surfaces exposed on rafts as well as on vessel hulls during 12 months. In situ exposure could be performed in specific and/or different environments and on different kind of vessels (geographic zone, speed, duration of exposure…).