Proposal on BPA ban in thermal paper receipts under REACH Annex XVII

On 21 April 2016, the Europe Union submitted Circular G/TBT/N/EU/372 in order to amend Annex XVII under REACH Regulation by proposing a restriction on the placing on the market of BPA in thermal paper in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.02% by weight.
 
Thermal paper is composed of a base paper coated with at least one chemical layer which may contain BPA. The coating changes colour when exposed to heat, allowing the printed characters to appear.
 
On 6 May 2014, France submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) a dossier to propose a restriction on the placing on the market of BPA in thermal paper in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.02% by weight. France based its hazard assessment of BPA on the effects on several human health endpoints (the female reproductive system, the brain and behaviour, the mammary gland, metabolism and obesity). The effects on the mammary gland were considered the most critical endpoint, prevailing over the others.
 
Upon assessment and analysis on the BPA restriction, ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) have issued opinions on the proposal. Based on those opinions, the Commission concluded that there is an unacceptable risk to the health of workers who handle point of sale receipts made of thermal paper containing BPA in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.02% by weight. Taking into account SEAC's considerations on affordability and distributional effects, the European Commission concluded that the restriction proposed by France is an appropriate Union wide measure to address the identified risks to the health of workers who handle point of sale receipts made of thermal paper containing BPA. Since test methods to measure the concentration of BPA in thermal paper are currently available the restriction is enforceable.
 
Based on comprehensive opinions, the following new entry is added in Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006:

Substance	Restriction
“66. Bisphenol A CAS No 80-05-7 EC No 201-245-8	Shall not be placed on the market in thermal paper in a concentration equal to or greater than 0,02 % by weight after date of entry into force + 36 months”.

 
The restriction is expected to be passed in the latter half of the year. However, it allows for three years for manufacturers and importers to make adjustments to fulfil the requirements. Besides, the Commission also specifies BPA restriction in toys, feeding bottles and teats.