On June 11, 2015 the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced in an article that its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has concluded on a restriction for bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7). The RAC supports the proposal of France to restrict the marketing of BPA-containing thermal paper, which is used e.g. in point of sale tickets and receipts. The risk for workers handling thermal paper is not sufficiently controlled, according to the RAC. However, the RAC did not identify a risk for consumers. The Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will continue to discuss the proposed restriction of BPA in September 2015 and expects to conclude on a final opinion in December 2015.
BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that is also widely used in plastic consumer products, including food packaging. France banned BPA in all packaging, containers and utensils intended for direct contact with food in January 2015 (FPF reported).
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ECHA (June 11, 2015). “RAC concludes on two restrictions, discusses applications for authorisation and adopts harmonised classification and labelling opinions.”
Michael Warhurst (June 11, 2015). “EU Chemical Agency committee agrees that Bisphenol A in receipts poses risk to workers.” CHEM Trust
