UK consults on bisphenol A ban

A wide-ranging consultation process has been launched by UK authorities over the European Commission’s decision to outlaw bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate baby bottles from 2011.

Packaging companies, trade bodies, retail groups and food manufacturers are among those being asked by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for their views on draft national regulations to implement last month’s European Directive to outlaw use of the substance in baby bottles for infants up to 12 months old. Under the directive it will be illegal to use BPA in the manufacture of polycarbonate bottles from March 2011, with a total ban on the importation or placing on the market of these containers from June next year.

The consultation announced on the 20th December 2010 applies specifically to England although identical exercises will be carried out throughout other parts of the UK.

The body said it is eager to hear from all stakeholders on a number of questions including the number of companies likely to be affected, the proportion of BPA-free bottles produced in the UK and data on BPA alternatives. The agency also wants to know the quantity and value of stock that would likely face write-off if an immediate ban were introduced.

Options and impact assessment

In its consultation document, the FSA outlines two possible courses of action. The first is to do nothing and continue to manufacture, import and sell BPA-containing bottles.

Benefits of this option would be no incursion of incremental costs either to public health or business, said the FSA. It added that because current scientific evidence from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggested that BPA in the quantities ingested from infant feeding bottles are not sufficient to cause any harm, the policy would be adopted under the precautionary principle.

The FSA yesterday restated its view that exposure to BPA from food contact materials does not represent a risk to consumers, including infants – but acknowledged “a great number of people” were concerned about the use of BPA in infant feeding bottles. Therefore, despite its own apparent reservations over the directive, the body said its preferred option would be to introduce national regulations to comply with the EU directive.

The FSA acknowledged such an option would incur costs but said: “We estimate these costs will be minimal because: anecdotal evidence suggests there are a limited number of baby bottle manufacturers in the UK and any costs that do arise will be mitigated by the evidence that suggests manufacturers of infant feeding bottles are already moving away from the use of BPA.”

The agency believes that around 2,800 UK firms would be affected by the regulation. However around 1,965 were described as micro producers, with just 20 major companies highlighted.

It estimated that firms would need just one hour each to study the new regulations – with the total cost for UK companies to familiarize themselves with new legislation running to £70,543.

Source: Food Standards Agency