Bisphenol A (BPA) regulation update

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is mainly used in combination with other chemicals to manufacture plastics and resins. It is for example used in polycarbonate plastics, a transparent, rigid plastic which in turn is used to make plastic beverage bottles, tableware, and storage containers. BPA is also used to produce epoxy resins found in protective coatings and linings for food and beverage cans.

All of these applications follow the strict requirements defined by the Regulations (EU) No 10/2011 and (EU) 2018/213. BPA has been reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority or EFSA on several occasions since 2014. In their opinion issued in April 2023, EFSA outlines a reduction in the tolerable daily intake (TDI) to 0.2 ng / kgbw (nanogram per kilogram of body weight) which is 20,000 times lower than the 2015 limit. Based on the conclusions of the EFSA the European Commission has published a new regulation (EU 2024/3190[1]) on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in food contact articles. This new regulation amends the plastics regulation EU no. 10/2011 and repeals the existing epoxy regulation EU 2018/213 as of January 20, 2025.

The new regulation prohibits the use of Bisphenol A in food contact articles and provides transition periods. The transition periods for placing products on the market are 18 months for internal lacquers (some exceptions apply) and 36 months for external lacquers. That means cans containing internal BPA coatings and linings can be sold to fillers until July 20, 2026. Cans containing external BPA coatings and linings can be sold to fillers until January 20, 2028. When it comes to existing stock, fillers have 1 year after the transition period to fill cans already purchased. We are actively calling on customers to convert as soon as possible to transfer to cans with coatings that do not contain BPA in their chemical composition.

As a leader in metal packaging and sustainability, our shared purpose is to shape the future of packaging to ensure a better planet for everyone – today and for generations to come.

Contact your account manager today about how you can start converting to metal packaging with coatings that do not contain BPA in their chemical composition.

Sources

[1] Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190

Disclaimer

Although all reasonable and diligent care has been used to ensure that the information provided in this communication is accurate, complete and up-to-date, nothing contained herein shall, or may, be construed to imply any representation or warranty of any kind, including but not limited to, any representation or warranty as to the accuracy, currency or completeness of this information. Trivium Packaging has no obligation to update any statements contained in this report, unless required by applicable law.