Bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance used as a dye developer in the manufacturing of thermal paper which is used for cash register tickets, payment receipts and fax paper.
In April 2013, ANSES presented the results of its health risk assessment of bisphenol A as well as an inventory of the potential alternatives to use of this substance. The assessment identified the potential risks linked to handling thermal paper containing BPA for the unborn children of exposed pregnant women. Based on this report, in May 2013 ANSES was asked as part of the REACh regulation to prepare a restriction proposal on the use of BPA in thermal papers. All the elements found in the restriction dossier proposed by ANSES are summarised in the opinion it issued today.
ANSES's proposal
In its restriction dossier, ANSES proposes that the concentration in BPA used in the manufacturing of thermal paper not exceed 0.02% by weight. At this concentration, the limit value in fact amounts to a ban on BPA.
In addition, there is currently no standard European-level analysis method for measuring BPA content in thermal paper, although several methods exist for other materials that could be applied to BPA (such as the XP CEN/TS 13130-13:2005-05-01 and NF EN ISO 18857-2:2012-01 methods).
The restriction proposal provides an in-depth analysis of the possible alternatives to BPA in thermal paper, including alternative chemical developers and printing techniques as well as paper-free techniques such as the e-ticket. With regard to alternative dye developers in particular, although BPA substitution in thermal paper has already begun in Europe, ANSES emphasises that due to the uncertainties inherent to their hazard profiles, no other chemicals can currently be recommended as a safe substitute for BPA. Certain other bisphenols in particular may have similar toxic properties.
The restriction proposal also contains an extensive socio-economic analysis of the costs and benefits that the proposed restriction would generate, in the form of a detailed assessment of the economic, social and health impacts of the measure on a Europe-wide level.
Public consultation by ECHA through 18 December 2014
This proposal was submitted for public consultation on the website on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as of 18 June 2014, for a period of six months. Following the consultation stage, ECHA's Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis Committees (RAC and SEAC) will deliver a final opinion based on all the available data, which will be sent to the European Commission so that it can decide whether or not to include the proposed restriction in the REACh regulation.
