PLASTICS AND HEALTH
Sweden to ban BPA in baby food packaging from 2013 / EU countries torpedo planned French move
Sweden has revealed plans to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from baby food packaging from the beginning of 2013. The new legislation will apply to jars, bottles and formula containers aimed at children under the age of three. With these restrictions, the government stopped short of farther-reaching plans proposed in a joint report of the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI, www.kemi.se) suggesting that the chemical be phased out in epoxy resin liners for cans and water pipes by the end of 2012.
Government authorities said the quick phase-out was not legally feasible, especially as it could be in conflict with EU legislation that banned BPA in baby bottles from the end of 2011 – see Plasteurope.com of 29.11.2010. KEMI now has three months to study the feasibility of banning the presence of the chemical in epoxy liners or thermal paper such as that used in cash register receipts.
Swedish environment minister Lena Ek is quoted in press reports as criticising EU authorities for not doing enough to curb exposure to BPA. She intends to raise the issue with the European Commission (EC) and the other member states when discussing the EU’s latest environmental action programme this spring. The proposed Swedish legislation is in line with existing rules at EU or country level banning BPA in baby bottles. All, however, far short of France’s thrust to extend the ban to all food packaging – see Plasteurope.com of 21.10.2011.
It was recently revealed that four EU member states, including the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain and The Netherlands, had filed objections to the French plans. Italy and Slovakia additionally are said to have addressed some concerns, with all objectors contending that stricter regulations in France would be a barrier to trade within the single market. Observers note also that the US could be expected to launch legal action to protect its juice and beer exports.
The EU’s final deadline for member states to comment on the French plans was 20 April – see Plasteurope.com of 15.03.2012 – but the entire discussion could influenced by the outcome of the presidential election in France. The BPA ban was approved unanimously by the country’s lower house of parliament, the Assemblée Nationale, but not the upper house, the Senate. Depending on the outcome of the election run-off on 6 May, political attitudes could change. The Socialist party is a strong supporter of a ban.
Apart from legislation, a ban on BPA in epoxy liners could be problematic, reports say, as there are no suitable, equally versatile alternatives. US soup maker Campbell has announced no timetable for its planned phase-out – for more details see Plasteurope.com of 15.03.2012.
Government authorities said the quick phase-out was not legally feasible, especially as it could be in conflict with EU legislation that banned BPA in baby bottles from the end of 2011 – see Plasteurope.com of 29.11.2010. KEMI now has three months to study the feasibility of banning the presence of the chemical in epoxy liners or thermal paper such as that used in cash register receipts.
Swedish environment minister Lena Ek is quoted in press reports as criticising EU authorities for not doing enough to curb exposure to BPA. She intends to raise the issue with the European Commission (EC) and the other member states when discussing the EU’s latest environmental action programme this spring. The proposed Swedish legislation is in line with existing rules at EU or country level banning BPA in baby bottles. All, however, far short of France’s thrust to extend the ban to all food packaging – see Plasteurope.com of 21.10.2011.
It was recently revealed that four EU member states, including the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain and The Netherlands, had filed objections to the French plans. Italy and Slovakia additionally are said to have addressed some concerns, with all objectors contending that stricter regulations in France would be a barrier to trade within the single market. Observers note also that the US could be expected to launch legal action to protect its juice and beer exports.
The EU’s final deadline for member states to comment on the French plans was 20 April – see Plasteurope.com of 15.03.2012 – but the entire discussion could influenced by the outcome of the presidential election in France. The BPA ban was approved unanimously by the country’s lower house of parliament, the Assemblée Nationale, but not the upper house, the Senate. Depending on the outcome of the election run-off on 6 May, political attitudes could change. The Socialist party is a strong supporter of a ban.
Apart from legislation, a ban on BPA in epoxy liners could be problematic, reports say, as there are no suitable, equally versatile alternatives. US soup maker Campbell has announced no timetable for its planned phase-out – for more details see Plasteurope.com of 15.03.2012.
26.04.2012 Plasteurope.com [222168-0]
Published on 26.04.2012