Last week, the European Commission released a note with Questions&Answers regarding the risk management approach for Bisphenol A and other Bisphenols in food contact materials. Although no formal position has yet been expressed on the matter, the document comes in the context of the European Commission’s strong reflection on the Bisphenol A issue prompted by the recent EFSA opinion of 19 April 2023, which suggests further lowering the TDI (tolerable daily intake) threshold for this
substance.
The existing authorisation for the use of BPA would no longer seem justified and the Commission’s proposal could be a total ban on the intentional use of these substance in food contact materials.
Bisphenols, notes from the European Commission
A number of important points are highlighted in the note:
- In case of a ban, the Commission envisages a transition period of 18 months. This period could be extended if, by 15/09/23, industry can provide evidence on the safety of BPA and the Commission accepts it
- Although the notice refers only to the intentional use of BPA, it could also be present as NIAS (e.g. in coatings containing the substance BADGE, a possible precursor of BPA), and therefore the hazard should still be assessed
- Plastics containing intentionally added BPA will no longer be allowed to be recycled (a particularly important consideration if we think to the ambitious recycling targets planned for the coming years)
- In terms of timing, the ban could become effective between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. The Commission announces its intention to launch a four-week feedback period this autumn to allow all stakeholders to comment on a draft version of a legislative text.
Mérieux NutriSciences’ packaging hub is specialized in testing and consulting on packaging and food contact materials, and in particular in the analysis of Bisphenols in FCMs; we also perform NIAS screening with accredited analysis.