Bisphenol A is classified in the EU as a substance that:

Companies that supply BPA in the EU must classify and label the substance – as well as any mixtures containing it – according to the harmonised classification. This is to ensure that people and the environment are protected, and that safe handling and use is promoted through consistent labelling that reflects the potential hazards.

 

In addition to the existing classifications, the German authorities have proposed additional harmonised classifications covering hazards for the aquatic environment (aquatic acute 1 and aquatic chronic 1). ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) supports the proposal, and its opinion has been sent to the European Commission for decision.

 

 

BPA has been restricted as a substance on its own and in mixtures intended for consumer use in the EU since March 2018. Its use in thermal paper has been restricted since January 2020. However, companies have commonly used bisphenol S (BPS) to replace BPA in thermal paper which is a concern as it is also suspected to affect human reproductive and hormonal systems.

To avoid similar situations where one hazardous bisphenol is replaced with another that may be equally hazardous, ECHA and the Member States have assessed the regulatory needs of 148 bisphenols as a group. Uses of the assessed bisphenols range from intermediates to thermal paper, inks, coatings, adhesives and textiles.

To protect people and the environment, the assessment found that 34 bisphenols need to be restricted as they may interfere with hormonal systems and affect reproduction. This number may change as more information is generated for these and other bisphenols that were lacking data.

Three bisphenols (BPA, bisphenol B (BPB) and 2,2-bis(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methylpentane) have already been identified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs).

SVHC identification or harmonised classification and labelling is proposed for further bisphenols where sufficient information on hazards is already available. However, for many group members, more data needs to be generated before potential endocrine-disrupting and reprotoxic properties can be confirmed.

German authorities are already preparing a proposal to restrict the use of BPA and other bisphenols with endocrine-disrupting properties for the environment. Once it is more clear which bisphenols the German proposal will cover, ECHA will consider any further needs for regulatory action on bisphenols.

Coordination is also needed with the planned restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) as bisphenol AF and its eight salts are also defined as PFASs.

In addition, the French and Swedish authorities have proposed to restrict over 1 000 skin sensitising chemicals in clothing, footwear and other articles with a similar skin contact. BPA and other bisphenols which have been identified as skin sensitisers, would be included in this restriction.