EU Ban of BPA and other Bisphenols in Food Contact Materials

Extractables & Leachables - Live Online Training

Recommendation

6/7 May 2025

Extractables & Leachables - Live Online Training
Challenges and Solutions for Packaging / Devices & Single Use Systems

A new regulation bans the use of BPA (Bisphenol A) in the EU. In particular, the use of BPA and its salts in the manufacture of food contact materials (FCMs) and the placing on the Union market of FCMs manufactured using BPA, is prohibited. Furthermore, FCMs and articles that have been manufactured using another bisphenol or bisphenol derivative shall not contain any residual BPA.

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of certain FCMs such as epoxy resins for coatings in metal packaging such as food and drink cans / tubes and in durable plastics such as returnable drinks bottles or equipment used in the processing and transport of food. It has minor uses in applications such as printing inks and adhesives, but is also important in the manufacture of other substances such as BADGE, bisphenol A - diglycidyl ether, which is used in epoxy-based coatings in food storage and transport containers such as wine and beer tanks.

This ban covers the use of BPA in packaging, such as the coating used on metal cans / aluminium tubes, and the use of BPA in consumer products, such as reusable plastic water bottles, water coolers or other kitchen utensils.

There are very limited exemptions to the ban where no safe alternatives are available, including its use in the manufacture of plastic filtration membranes needed to ensure the microbiological safety of certain foods where such use is not considered to pose a risk to consumers, but these will be kept under review. Transitional periods will apply to allow industry to adapt and to avoid potential disruption to the food chain.

For more information please see COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2024/3190 of 19 December 2024 on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives with harmonised classification for specific hazardous properties in certain materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/213.