FIELD : chemistry.SUBSTANCE : invention relates to a biocidal composition for inhibiting growth of microorganisms of various types, and can be used in food, medical, cosmetic, agricultural industry. Composition for imparting antimicrobial properties to products and materials includes a biocidal component and a diluent. As biocidal component it contains a mixture of zinc oxide or zinc acetate, carboxylic acid of general formula RCOOH and acrylic or methacrylic acid at weight ratio of initial components (wt%) ZnO/Zn(CH3CO2)2 : RCOOH : (CH2=C(R1)COOH)=(1–3) : (1–5) : (1–4), where R is H, or an aliphatic substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical containing 1–18 carbon atoms, or an aromatic substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical containing 1–18 carbon atoms, R1 – H or CH3, with following ratio of initial components (wt%) : biocidal component 1–70, diluent 30–99.EFFECT : disclosed composition for imparting antimicrobial properties to products and materials is effective and enables use thereof for products or articles subject to microbiological damage, in food, medical, cosmetic and agricultural industries.11 cl, 10 tbl, 9 ex