In February 2024, the European Commission organised a public consultation on the draft proposal to restrict bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in certain food contact materials. This proposal follows the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)'s conclusions that dietary exposure to BPA is a health concern for consumers across all age groups.  

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used endocrine disruptor found in items such as plastic water dispensers, toys, plastic food storage containers and plastic reusable water bottles. It is also used to produce epoxy resins found in coatings and linings for food and beverage cans, and for some medical devices.  

For years, EDC-Free Europe members have warned about the negative impacts of BPA on people’s health and the environment. The chemical has been listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under the EU’s flagship chemicals legislation REACH since 2006 for its properties as toxic for reproduction, and for its endocrine disrupting properties for human health since 2017. BPA has been linked to breast cancer, infertility, early puberty, diabetes and obesity, and neurological disorders in children. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)'s re‐evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs has concluded that the substance can damage the human immune system, even at very low doses.   

Additionally, the results of the EU-funded human biomonitoring research project HBM4EU have shown people living in the EU are subjected to widespread exposure of BPA, with levels above the safe health threshold.  

EDC-Free Europe members and partners have responded to the public consultation, welcoming the proposal and calling for urgent action to protect our health and the environment. Read their responses below: 

The comments to the public consultation will be taken into consideration by the European Commission to present a legislative proposal in April 2024. The process for adoption of this proposal by EU member states and the European Parliament is foreseen to be completed in July 2024.