On January 11, 2018, the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) discussed and voted on a draft proposal by the European Commission (EC) to regulate bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) in some food contact materials (FCMs). The EC’s draft foresees to lower the specific migration limit (SML) for BPA in plastics from 0.6 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg. The new SML would also apply to varnishes and coatings. Further, migration of BPA shall be banned for all FCMs intended for infants and toddlers (FPF reported). The ENVI Committee adopted the EC’s draft regulation and rejected a separate motion objecting the EC’s proposal and asking for a complete ban on BPA in all FCMs.
The non-profit organization Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) regrets the ENVI Committee’s decision, stating that the EC’s proposal “fails to protect citizens’ health and will mainly benefit the chemical industry.” HEAL demands a “full ban [on BPA], because exposure to even very low doses can have serious long-term health impacts.” BPA is listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH due to its reprotoxic and endocrine disrupting properties with effects on human health, HEAL reminds (FPF reported).
Read more
HEAL (January 11, 2018). “Europeans will remain exposed to BPA in food packaging.”
Clelia Oziel (January 10, 2018). “MEPs to vote on proposal to restrict BPA in food packaging.” Chemical Watch
Luke Buxton (January 11, 2018). “MEPs reject motion for total ban on BPA in FCMs.” Chemical Watch
Benjamin Fox (January 11, 2018). “MEPs back down from EU bisphenol ban.” Euractiv
Joseph James Whitworth (January 11, 2018). “MEPs back lower limits and not ban of BPA.” Beverage Daily
