During last week’s vote in the ECHA Member State Committee, Bisphenol A (BPA) was officially identified as an SVHC substance due to its endocrine disrupting properties for human health. While BPA has already been added to this SVHC list for its reprotoxic properties, the additional identification as an endocrine disruptor holds more than just a symbolic value.

“With this recognition it will be more difficult for companies to be granted authorisation for continued use of this substance in consumer products”, Frida Hök, ChemSec senior Policy Advisor explains. “In other words, it is definitely time to substitute this chemical for all who have not done so”.

Bisphenol A is still used in a wide range of products, such as plastic bottles, papers and can linings. The last years media focus on this chemical has however lead to voluntary phase-outs in many cases.

“Several progressive companies have already done their homework. But it is crucial to not go for the easy route and switch to Bisphenol S or some other bisphenol with equally bad properties. The solution can either be a truly safer chemical, but it can also be a different technology”, says Frida Hök.

In addition to the implication of this decision for companies, the decision is also important as it shows again that it is possible and highly important to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals for regulatory action in the EU.

“We hope also that this decision will have a positive influence on the never-ending process of the Commission to establish criteria for endocrine disrupting chemicals”, Frida Hök concludes.