As of today, Bisphenol A is banned in the European Union: what this substance is and where it has been used

Bisphenol A is now banned in all food contact. On 20 January, the European Union banned the use of this endocrine disruptor in food containers. This substance can be found in tins, food packaging and water bottles, from where it can get into food. The ban will soon expand. It will also ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in the manufacture of adhesives, rubber, ion exchange resins, plastics, printing inks, silicones, varnishes and coatings that may come into contact with food.

Bisphenol A has been listed as an extremely hazardous substance by REACH - the EU's main chemical directive - since 2006 because of its toxic effects on reproduction, and since 2017 for endocrine disruption affecting human health, explains HEAL's Sandra Jen. It has been linked to health problems such as breast cancer, neurobehavioural disorders and diabetes. The ban followed the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) conclusion in 2023 that BPA poses a health risk to all age groups. The substance has already been banned in baby products such as bottles since 2011.

The European Union has been a pioneer in banning bisphenols, but the process has been long and complex. Sandra Jen emphasises that scientists have been demanding a ban on bisphenol A for more than a decade. In 2013, the European Environment Agency published a report on concerns about bisphenol A. Subsequent bans on bisphenol in other consumer products are now expected to be enacted swiftly. This includes a ban on its use in toys. In addition to BPA, the EU regulation also bans the use of other bisphenols.

Bisphenol A has been used for the past 50 years as a hardener in the manufacture of plastics as well as plastic-based products. It is a key constituent in the production of epoxy resins and is the most common form in polycarbonate plastic, which is used to produce a range of products such as water and beverage bottles, sports equipment, medical instruments, dental fillings and sealants, eyeglass lenses, and household appliances. It is included in the types of thermal paper used for cheque tape printing in modern payment terminals, medical equipment and some other devices.