Helsinki, 15 September 2015: SEAC agreed its draft opinion on the French proposal to restrict the placing on the market of thermal paper containing Bisphenol A.

SEAC considered the proposed restriction unlikely to be proportionate from an economic efficiency perspective, i.e. comparing the socio-economic benefits to the socio-economic costs. However, SEAC also noted that there may be favourable distributional and affordability considerations.

RAC proposed that staff such as cashiers that were exposed to thermal paper containing Bisphenol A may bear relatively higher risk, which could not be fully regulated in June. So RAC agreed the proposal to restrict the placing on the market of thermal paper containing Bisphenol A.

The 60-day public consultation on the SEAC draft opinion will be launched in September 2015. SEAC plans to adopt its final opinion in December 2015.

Though EU authorities are still under consideration to restrict BPA and impose no BPA regulation. However, requirements with regard to food contact materials for children and EN71-9 (European standard for safety of toys) provide specific limits for BPA. Furthermore, there is also US proposal to restrict the use of BPA in food contact materials.

C&K Testing shows the French proposal is likely to be passed. So it is advisable for businesses to make preparation to avoid risks in trade.

【中文版】

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