EU Issues New Regulations Banning Bisphenol A (BPA) in Food Contact Materials

On December 19, 2024, the EU adopted a proposal to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials and published (EU) 2024/3190 on December 31, 2024. This regulation repeals (EU) 2018/213 and amends the plastic food contact materials regulation (EU) 10/2011. The new regulation will officially come into effect on January 20, 2025.

Key Amendments:

1. Ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) and Its Salts: Prohibited in adhesives, rubber, ion exchange resins, plastics, printing inks, silicone, varnishes, coatings, and other materials and products, unless they meet the specific use conditions outlined in Annex II.
2. Prohibition of BPA Residues: Food contact materials made from other bisphenols or bisphenol derivatives must not contain residual BPA.
3. Restriction on Other Harmful Bisphenols: Non-BPA harmful bisphenol substances and their derivatives may only be used with specific authorization.
4. Declaration of Compliance Requirements: The specific category of bisphenols and their derivatives used must be declared.
5. Amendments to (EU) 10/2011:
   1. Restricts the use of BPA and other harmful bisphenols, applying only to products that meet the exemptions specified in Annex II of (EU) 2024/3190.
   1. Removes two authorized substances from Table 1 of Annex I of (EU) 10/2011: BPA (CAS: 80-05-7) and BPS (CAS: 80-09-1).

Transition Arrangements:

1. Single-use food contact final products made with BPA that comply with previous regulations but do not meet the new regulation:
   1. May continue to be sold until July 20, 2026.
   1. The following special products may be sold until January 20, 2028:
   1. Containers for preserving vegetables or fruits (excluding juices and similar products).
   1. Containers for preserving seafood.
   1. Products with BPA-based varnish or coating applied to the outer surface of metal.
2. Reusable food contact final products made with BPA that comply with previous regulations but do not meet the new regulation:
   1. May be placed on the market for the first time until July 20, 2026, with stock sales allowed until January 20, 2029.
   1. Reusable products used in professional food production equipment that comply with previous regulations may be placed on the market for the first time until January 20, 2028, with stock sales allowed until January 20, 2029.