On February 14, 2018, the European Commission (EC) published the regulation on “The use of bisphenol A in varnishes and coatings intended to come into contact with food” in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulation amends the food contact plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 regarding the use of bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) in plastic food contact materials (FCMs). The specific migration limit (SML) for BPA from plastic FCMs is lowered to 0.05 mg/kg food and now also applies to varnishes and coatings. Further, the regulation states that BPA shall not migrate from plastic FCMs (including varnishes and coatings) containing food intended for infants and children of 0-3 years. Also, the use of BPA in the manufacture of infant ‘sippy’ cups is prohibited (FPF reported).

The draft regulation on BPA in FCMs was published in August 2017 (FPF reported) and a public consultation was held until September 2017 (FPF reported). The new regulation enters into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal and will apply from September 6, 2018. It is noted that “varnished or coated materials and articles and plastic materials and articles that were lawfully placed on the market before 6 September 2018 may remain on the market until exhaustion of stocks.”

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EC (February 14, 2018). “Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/213 of 12 February 2018 on the use of bisphenol A in varnishes and coatings intended to come into contact with food and amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as regards the use of that substance in plastic food contact materials.Official Journal of the European Union

Chemical Watch (February 15, 2018). “EU publishes regulation on BPA in FCM varnishes, coatings.

Joseph James Whitworth (February 15, 2018). “Stricter BPA regulation to apply from September.Beverage Daily

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