News Details

The first major compliance deadline under Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 took effect on 20 July 2026, introducing new restrictions on bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials (FCMs) across the European Union. From this date onwards, most FCMs first placed on the EU market must comply with the new requirements. While the EU restrictions are now applicable, Great Britain has announced that it will introduce similar restrictions, although an implementation date has yet to be confirmed.

Most Food Contact Materials Must Now Comply

Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 prohibits the intentional use of BPA and certain other hazardous bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in a broad range of food contact materials, including plastics, varnishes and coatings, printing inks, adhesives, ion-exchange resins, silicones and rubber.

The Regulation also expands documentation requirements by requiring a Declaration of Compliance for all food contact materials within its scope, including intermediate materials. Manufacturers must also identify any bisphenols or bisphenol derivatives intentionally used during production.

Some Transitional Periods Continue Until 2028 and 2029

Although the first compliance deadline has now passed, the transitional period does not end for all products at the same time.

Extended transitional provisions apply to certain categories, including:

• Single-use food contact articles used to preserve fruit, vegetables, and fishery products.
• Single-use food contact articles with BPA-containing varnishes or coatings applied only to the exterior metal surface.
• Repeat-use professional food production equipment.

These products may continue to be first placed on the market until 20 January 2028. In addition, certain articles already placed on the market by that date may continue to be made available on the market until 20 January 2029, in accordance with the Regulation's transitional provisions.

Great Britain Yet to Implement Equivalent Restrictions

While the EU restrictions are now applicable, Great Britain has not yet implemented equivalent measures. Following its consultation on the proposed ban of BPA and its analogues in food contact materials, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) announced that a ban will be introduced in Great Britain. However, the implementation date will be communicated in due course.

Consequently, businesses supplying both the EU and Great Britain should be aware that the two regulatory regimes are currently following different implementation timelines.