On the 25th of May the newly published Commission Directive (EU) 2017/898 is going to enforce higher restrictions on the values of the Bisphenol A used in toys.
Bisphenol A also known as BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used since the 1960s to harden the plastics. It is commonly applied in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic products, which include various common consumer goods, such as water bottles, sports equipment, CDs, toys and also Medical Devices.
Improving Safety
BPA’s safety for human health was first questioned in 2008 and its usage has been limited continuously ever since by the EU:
- Since 1st of June of 2011, BPA has been banned from infant feeding bottles across the EU
- In December 2016, the European Commission decided to restrict BPA in thermal paper
Now, with the new Commission Directive (EU) 2017/898, the migration limit of 0.1 mg/l was decreased to 0.04 mg/l in toys.
The new limit will be available in Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC, and it is going to replace the current entry for bisphenol A as follows:
| Substance | CAS No. | Limit |
| Bisphenol A | 80-05-7 | 0.04 mg/L (migration limit) in accordance with the methods laid down in EN 71-10:2005 and EN 71-11:2005. |
Implementation
Until November 2018, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive should be in place in each Member State, entering into force by the same date.
However, since the complex health effects of BPA are still under scientific evaluation, if new relevant scientific information becomes available, the limit that the Commission has now adopted will have to be reviewed.
If you wish to know more about the limits for BPA in toys, please do not hesitate to contact us. Obelis Expert Consultants, having nearly 30 years of experience with EU Regulations, will gladly answer any question you may have.