France wants to prevent the substitution of bisphenol A by bisphenol B

Edited on 03/18/2021
Résumé: 
ANSES proposes to identify bisphenol B as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) for its endocrine disrupting properties for human health and the environment.
Description: 

Bisphenol B (BPB) is a substitute for some uses of Bisphenol A (coatings, polymers in contact with food...) used in countries outside the European Union such as the United States.

 

Following the study conducted as part of the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) concluding that BPB would exhibit endocrine disruptor properties similar to those of BPA, ANSES has initiated a regulatory process for the recognition of this substance as an SVHC by conducting a project of Risk Management Options Analysis (RMOA) for BPB in 2019.

 

On December 9, 2020, ANSES published an opinion recommending the identification of BPB as an SVHC (in French) or its endocrine disrupting properties for human health and the environment.

 

Within the framework of the REACH regulation, the identification of BPB as a SVHC would make it possible to avoid the development of its use or its manufacture thanks to the obligation that the importers of articles containing this substance at a concentration higher than 0.1% would have to declare its presence.

 

The dossier for the identification of BPB as a SVHC proposed by ANSES is under public consultation until April 23, 2021.

 

According to ANSES, this approach could also be extended to other bisphenols with similar chemical structures and effects as bisphenols A and B.

 

Sources : https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/le-bisph%C3%A9nol-b-un-perturbateur-endocrinien-pour-l%E2%80%99homme-et-l%E2%80%99environnement (in French)