On 14 February 2018, the EU Official Journal published a new Regulation (EU) 2018/213, restricting the use of bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) in varnishes and coatings intended to come into contact with food and amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as regards the use of BPA in plastic food contact materials.
According to the new regulation, the specific migration limit (SML) of BPA from plastic FCMs is lowered to 0.05 mg/kg food and now also applies to varnishes and coatings. Further, the regulation bans the migration of BPA from varnishes and coatings containing food intended for infants and children of 0-3 years. Also, the use of BPA in the manufacture of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles and polycarbonate drinking cups or bottles which are intended for infants and young children is prohibited.
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Scope |
Restrictions and specifications |
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Food contact varnishes and coatings |
-The specific migration limit of BPA from varnishes or coatings is 0,05 mg of BPA per kg of food (mg/kg) -No migration of BPA shall be permitted from varnishes or coatings applied to materials and articles specifically intended to come into contact with infant formula, follow-on formula, processed cereal-based food, baby food, food for special medical purposes developed to satisfy the nutritional requirements of infants and young children or milk-based drinks and similar products specifically intended for young children, as referred to in Regulation (EU) No 609/2013. |
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Food contact plastics |
-The specific migration limit of BPA from plastic is 0,05 mg of BPA per kg of food (mg/kg) -Not to be used for the manufacture of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles; Not to be used for the manufacture of polycarbonate drinking cups or bottles which, due to their spill proof characteristics, are intended for infants and young children. |
This Regulation shall apply from 6 September 2018, and 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.