EU plans to restrict BPA in plastics, coatings and vanishes of food contact materials

The European Commission came up with a roadmap by the end of 2015, proposing to formulate new regulation. Modifying legislative restrictions for BPA in plastic food contact materials at EU level and introducing measures for BPA in coatings and varnishes at EU level is backed by most industrial groups.
 
However, there are many issues, such as:
l  Risk management measures are at present not aligned with the current scientific opinion;
l  Uncertainty as regards the legal status of the use of BPA in food contact materials and negative effect on consumer confidence;
l  The introduction of different measures in EU Member States is affecting the proper functioning of the internal market for food contact materials that utilise BPA; and
l  Negative effects on innovation and efficacy
 
Having regard to all the above reasons, the European Commission formulates the roadmap with the intent to establish harmonised regulatory measures on BPA in food contact materials at EU level, through which to ensure regulatory conformity at EU level, protect human health and benefits of EU consumers. In the meanwhile, it helps to keep the market operating in an effective manner, eliminate trade barriers and make parties concerned to fully fulfill legal obligations set out in Article 18 under Regulation (EC)1935/2004.
 
There are five options according to the roadmap:
1.      No policy change;
2.      Modify legislative restrictions for BPA in plastic food contact materials at EU level;
3.      Modify legislative restrictions for BPA in plastic food contact materials at EU level and introduce measures for BPA in coatings and varnishes at EU level;
4.      Modify legislative restrictions for BPA in plastic food contact materials at EU level and introduce measures for BPA in food contact coatings and varnishes as well as other food contact materials in which BPA may be present;
5.      Ban on BPA in food contact materials at EU level.
 
Currently, trade bodies widely support Option 3.
 
It is “essential” that coatings and varnishes are prioritised, in EU-wide measures to address bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials (FCMs), say industry groups. Because these products represent the largest part of BPA-based food contact uses.
 
In the meanwhile, the Food Packaging Department suggests to establish a specific migration limit (SML) for coatings and varnishes on the EU-wide basis according to the a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) proposed by European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) last year.
 
The plastics industry also says the choice, and the resulting SML, reflect Efsa's scientific opinion.
 
The restriction on BPA in food contact materials (FCMs) is “insufficient” in most areas. Only few countries like France have enacted regulatory measures. However, children FCMs and toy safety EN 71 include specific limits for BPA. The roadmap though is not final, while it is very likely to establish harmonised regulatory system on BPA on the EU-wide basis. C&K Testing advises companies especially those in plastic FCMs industry should pay attention to such news.

【中文版】

Further information
Roadmap