On May 6 – 7, 2024, the European Commission’s working group on food contact materials (FCMs) reconvened to present the status of the FCM regulation revision and the ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in FCMs. The working group is hosted by the directorate general for health DG SANTE.
DG SANTE officials indicated that a study to determine the definition of sustainable FCMs should be completed by February 2025. The study was originally scheduled for publication in mid to late 2024 with the policy impact assessment and public consultation in early 2025 (FPF reported). Preliminary results seem to agree that FCMs are unsustainable and that “plastics (a large share of which is used in food packaging) alone undermine all planetary boundaries,” according to the presentation slides.
Concerning the BPA restriction, the Commission is requesting final remarks and comments from Member States by May 17, 2024. The restriction encompasses a “ban on use of BPA as a monomer or other starting substance in the manufacture of FCM and placing on market of FCMs made using BPA”, as well as the use of other bisphenols that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, or endocrine disrupting (FPF reported and here). Should the regulation be approved by Member States, it will be transmitted to the European Parliament and Council on July 10, 2024.
References
European Commission (May 6, 2024) “Handout May 6: Working group on food contact materials.”
European Commission (May 7, 2024) “Handout May 7: Working group on food contact materials.”
ENDS Europe (May 13, 2024) “Long-delayed overhaul of food contact material rules still far off.”
