Global Updates on the Restriction of Bisphenol-A

Three States in the United States have proposed regulations to prohibit the use of Bisphenol-A (BPA), which cover child food and beverage containers, baby and toddler's products. This arouses the industry’s alert on the use of BPA in children and infant products, and manufacturers are encouraged to streamline their processes and the use of materials in order to fulfill the new requirements.

The Challenge:

New Jersey has proposed to ban BPA in child food and beverage containers. According to the proposal, no person shall sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale food or beverage in a child food or beverage container made with or composed of BPA.

In addition, any child food or beverage storage container made with or composed of BPA will be prohibited. Under the purpose of this Act, child food or beverage storage container means:

1. Any refillable or reusable plastic container or other plastic package for a food or beverage that may be used for the reheating or storage of the food or beverage; and
2. Intended for use by children 4 years of age or younger, and includes but not limited to baby bottles, spill-proof cups, and reusable containers.

Minnesota has proposed a restriction on the use of BPA in Children's Food Containers as follows:

• Starting from January 1, 2014, no manufacturer or wholesaler shall sell or offer for sale a children’s food container containing BPA.
• Beginning from January 1, 2015, no retailer shall sell or offer for sale a children’s food container containing BPA.

Note:

1. "Children's food" means a food or liquid that is commercially available and is designed, intended, or marketed by a manufacturer to be consumed by a child 12 years of age or younger.
2. "Container" means a receptacle, box, can or jar, including a lid, that is in direct physical contact with a children's food.

Pennsylvania has proposed an Act concerning BPA-Free Baby and Toddler Products. According to the Act, no person shall manufacture, sell or distribute any product containing BPA at a level above 0.1 ppb if it is designed or intended for use by infants or children aged 4 years or below.

Several retailers or buyers have implemented BPA-free requirements. Manufacturers would need to be well aware of the restrictions in different products in different countries. Many countries are actively monitoring the use of BPA in the consumer market, and more restrictions may be enforced. The table below provides a quick overview of BPA bans in different countries.

US:

State	Scope	Status
California	Any baby bottles, toddlers' cups, food & drinking containers for aged 3 and younger	Effective on Jul 1, 2013
Oregon	Any containers or infant formula or metal can that contains food	Effective on Jan 1, 2013
South Dakota	Any infant formula, baby food, reusable food or beverage container	Proposed to be effective in 2013
	Any food packaging that contains BPA to be labeled "This package contains Bisphenol-A" on the front of the packaging	Proposed to be effective in 2013
Connecticut	Any food packaging that contains BPA to be labeled "This package contains Bisphenol-A" on the front of the packaging	Proposed to be effective in 2013
New Hampshire	Any reusable baby food or beverage container	Proposed to be effective in 2013
	Any infant formula or baby food stored in a plastic container, can or jar	Proposed to be effective in 2013

Other Countries:

Country	Scope	Status
France	Any food packaging, container and utensil intended to come into direct contact with food for infants and children under 3 years of age.	Effective on Jan 1, 2013
Sweden	Food packaging for children under 3	Effective on Jan 1, 2013
Taiwan	Any baby and infant feeding bottle	Proposed to be effective in 2013
	Any PC food contacting article	Proposed to be effective in 2014

The Solution

Intertek’s commitment is to deliver innovative solutions to facilitate our customers’ success in the global marketplace. We have developed precise analytical methods in verifying the concentration of bisphenol-A in consumer products.

Should you have any query on the above news, please contact Ms. Natalie Kwok at Tel: (852) 2173-8634 / Mr. Elvis Chan at Tel: (852) 2173-8617 / Fax to (852) 2785-8570 / Email: intertek.tfh.info@intertek.com