EU Supports Restrictions on BPA in Thermal Paper
On June 11, 2015, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) published its support of a French proposal to restrict the use of bisphenol A in thermal paper, such as cashier’s receipts. The proposal would restrict the placing on the market of thermal paper containing more than 0.02% BPA by weight. The subpopulation of concern is workers, like cashiers, who handle such paper on a regular basis. The RAC did not conclude that consumers were at risk.
The RAC is expected to release its report soon. In the meantime, ECHA’s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will evaluate the proposed BPA restriction in September 2015, with SEAC’s final opinion expected to be released in December 2015. At that point, both the RAC’s and SEAC’s opinions will be evaluated by the European Commission.