Bisphenol A Banned in Thermal Paper Throughout the EU

As of the start of this year, Bisphenol A (BPA) in a concentration of 0.02% or more by weight in thermal paper may not be marketed in EU, which is equivalent to a total ban. EU Regulation 2016/2235, which was published in December 2016, is now in effect. The maximum concentration of 0.02% was set because it’s the unavoidable leftover concentration that occurs when paper is recycled.

The Regulation primarily affects retailers. Since this year, they are obliged to give every customer a digital or paper receipt. In the future, the paper must be free of BPA.

BPA has historically been used as a thermal coating in paper receipts because of its resistance to heat. That use is now over. The law authorizing the prohibition was promulgated as early as 2016, when BPA was included in Annex XVII of REACH, the list of restrictions of certain hazardous substances.

In July of last year when assessing a suit brought by the plastics industry, an EU court confirmed that BPA was properly classified as reprotoxic, because it affects hormonal balance and limits fecundity. Because of its reprotoxic properties, the ECHA listed the chemical on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC).

In October of last year, the ECHA proposed listing BPA in Annex XIV of REACH, the list of chemicals that must be authorized.

With a production of 3.8 million tons per year, Bisphenol A is one of the world’s most widely used chemicals. In addition to its now prohibited use in cash-register receipt, it is contained in the most varied of products, such as water bottles, food cans, and grocery packaging.

The latest research shows that the replacement substance, Bisphenol S, is at least as hazardous as Bisphenol A.

Be attentive to the safe use of your products. If you have any questions, please contact us for answers and advice at reach@kft.de.