Global Updates on the Restriction of BPA
Bisphenol-a (BPA), a scientific name as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, its abbreviated form is bisphenol-propane. BPA is commonly used, mainly as the antioxidant of plasticizers used in production of polycarbonate (pc) plastic and epoxy monomers / materials, synthetic polyesters, polysulfones, polyether ketones. Also, it is a polymerization inhibitor of PVC synthesis
In recent years, studies have shown that BPA entering the human body may increase the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, in which the harm to infants and young children are particularly serious, for instance, destroy hormones, causing mutations that may bring precocious puberty in girls and lead to reduced fertility, mental disorders and other related symptoms.
As the potential harm of bisphenol-a (BPA), many countries and regions have proposed regulations to prohibit or restrict the use of BPA, enterprises need to be highly concerned about and take corresponding measures, in order to ensure that products comply with regulation requirement
In 2008, the government of Canada had classified BPA as hazardous substances, and passed legislation on the prohibition of BPA adopted on baby bottles. Canada became the first country to ban BPA use in the world.
On April 2, 2011, the European Union enacted legislation (EU) No 321/2011, this regulation was also the EU food contact plastics regulation (EU) No 10/2011 amendment, which limits BPA applied in polycarbonate (PC) plastic baby bottles.
In 2010, France released an ordinance of No 2010-729, required for a prohibition on baby bottles containing BPA from July 2010 onwards. By the end of 2012, Decree No 2012-1442 expanded the scope of ban on BPA, required that prohibits food contact materials and products for children (under the age of 3) containing BPA. Starting from 2015, this prohibition will further expand to all food contact materials and products.
Apart from France, other European countries have also enacted a similar ban on BPA, including Denmark, Austria, Belgium and Sweden.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed that they “have concerned” to the application of food contact products on BPA, and have supported necessary to build a more effective BPA supervision system. Although the United States federal government has not issued for the unity of BPA ban yet, some state governments have introduced legislation to prohibit from BPA in food packaging, such as Maryland.
BPA proposed limitation requirements to Japan, China and other countries and regions on food contact materials, especially for children uses.
For further information, please contact:
E&E Technology CS Team
t: +852 2765 3617
f: +852 2766 3778
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