Bisphenol A (BPA)
Little Pro on 2016-08-19
Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is a chemical substance widely used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA is currently classified as reproductive toxicant category 1B under the EU CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. In this article, we will summarize the restrictions of BPA in consumer products in EU and USA.
Bisphenol A and REACH Annex XVII
Bisphenol A (BPA) is added to REACH annex XVII restricted substances list on 13 Dec 2016 (entry 66). The new entry bans BPA's use in thermal paper with a concentration equal to or above 0.02% by weight. This restriction comes into force on 3 Jan 2020.
BPA and REACH SVHC Candidate List
BPA is also on REACH SVHC candidate list (2017). If your article contains BPA in concentration above 0.1% (w/w), you need to fulfill the following obligations under REACH:
- Duty to communicate information on SVHCs - REACH article 33;
- Notification of SVHC in articles to ECHA- REACH article 7(2);
Read more about REACH SVHC Candidiate List
Ban in Baby Bottles
Baby bottles containing BPA are banned in Europe from 1 June 2011. In 2012 and 2013, the US FDA granted two petitions requesting that FDA amend its food additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of certain BPA-based materials in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging. Please note that this amendment is not based on safety, but is based on the fact that the use has been permanently and completely abandoned in the US.
Use as Food Contact Materials
Currently BPA-based food contact materials are approved for all intended uses in Europe except France. France enforced a national restriction on the use of BPA in all food contact materials since Jan 2015.
On 14 March 2016, the European Commission notified World Trade Organisation (WTO) of a proposal to lower the specific migration limit (SML) for Bisphenol A (BPA) from ≤ 0.6 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg. In addition, it also proposed to introduce the same SML to BPA in varnish or coating applied to food contact materials or articles.
BPA in China
BPA is restricted in baby products and food contact materials. Read more...
References
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/2235 of 12 December 2016 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) as regards bisphenol A
- http://www.bisphenol-a-europe.org/index.php?page=legislation
- http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/
- http://www.sgs.com/2016/03/bpa-restriction-in-food-contact-materials-and-articles
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Tags: Topics - Restriction, Substance Restriction in Articles