Europe Bans Bisphenol A (BPA) in Food Contact Materials

On December 19, 2024, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, a landmark piece of legislation that bans the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in a broad range of food contact materials. Backed by both the European Parliament and the Council, this regulation marks a major shift in Europe’s approach to managing chemical risks in consumer products—especially those with direct contact with food and beverages.

Why BPA Is Being Banned

BPA (4,4’-isopropylidenediphenol, CAS 80-05-7) has been widely used for over a century in the production of materials such as plastic containers, coatings for metal food cans, epoxy resins, and more. However, its ability to migrate into food has long raised health concerns. BPA is classified as toxic to reproduction and an endocrine disruptor. In 2016, it was added to the EU’s list of substances of very high concern (SVHC).

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) intensified those concerns in 2023 when it drastically reduced the tolerable daily intake of BPA by 20,000 times—to just 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight—concluding that BPA poses a health risk across all age groups.

What Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 Covers

The new regulation bans the use of BPA, its salts, and other hazardous bisphenols or bisphenol derivatives in the manufacture of food contact materials such as:

• Plastics
• Varnishes and coatings
• Printing inks
• Adhesives
• Ion-exchange resins
• Silicones
• Rubbers

It also defines “bisphenol derivative” based on specific structural characteristics and prohibits their use unless explicitly authorized.

Certain applications are exempted for now, such as:

• Polysulfone filtration membrane assemblies
• Epoxy resins for food contact materials exceeding 1,000 liters in volume

For other bisphenols and derivatives listed under Category 1A or 1B for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or endocrine disruption (as defined by Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008), EFSA will publish guidelines by January 20, 2027, detailing how to apply for authorization.

Compliance Testing Requirements

To ensure food contact materials don’t contain or release BPA or other hazardous bisphenols above permissible limits, the regulation mandates testing methods capable of detecting concentrations as low as 1 µg/kg. The EU Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials is tasked with developing a validated testing method.

Transitional Periods: What Importers and Manufacturers Should Know

The regulation went into effect on January 20, 2025. However, transitional periods are in place to give manufacturers and supply chains time to adapt:

For Single-Use Food Contact Articles

• Can be placed on the market until July 20, 2026, if manufactured under the old rules.
• For certain food applications (like preserving fruits, vegetables, and fish), and for items where BPA-containing coatings are only applied to the exterior of metal surfaces, the deadline is extended to January 20, 2028.
• These items may still be filled and sealed with food for up to 12 months after the transitional period ends and sold until stocks are depleted.

For Repeat-Use Articles

• Products can be first placed on the market until July 20, 2026.
• For professional food production equipment, the deadline is extended to January 20, 2028.
  
  

What This Means for Businesses

Companies importing or manufacturing food contact materials for the European market must take immediate action to:

• Identify all materials containing BPA or related bisphenols in their supply chain
• Assess compliance against the new requirements, especially detection and migration thresholds
• Engage with certified laboratories to update testing protocols
• Plan for reformulation or sourcing of alternative materials if needed

EaseCert offers dedicated compliance support for companies navigating EU chemical safety laws. We assist with material assessments, conformity documentation, and ongoing monitoring to help you stay compliant under the new BPA regulation and beyond.

Learn More About GPSR

• EU Product Safety and GPSR Overview
• General Product Safety Regulation (2023) – EU Summary
• EU Safety Gate – RAPEX Alerts for Dangerous Products