News Details

The Israeli Ministry of Health has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft Public Health (Food) Protection Order proposing the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 on the Use of Bisphenols in Certain Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food. 

The proposed order is based on EU Regulation 2024/3190, adopted by the European Commission in December 2024. The regulation introduced new restrictions on BPA and certain other bisphenols following an updated scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2023. 

Key Regulatory Information 

Under the proposed order, Israel would adopt EU Regulation 2024/3190 into its food legislation, subject to certain national exemptions and modifications. 

The regulation introduces a general prohibition on the use of BPA in specified materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. It also covers certain other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives that have harmonised classifications for hazardous properties. 

Limited exemptions may be permitted for specific essential applications, provided that the relevant conditions are fulfilled, including applicable restrictions on migration of the substances into food. Under the draft order, the adopted EU regulation would apply in Israel only to: 

• Approved importers importing food through the European route. 

• Manufacturers holding the required manufacturing approval or approval for the submission of an undertaking and meeting the applicable requirements under Israeli food legislation. 

• Marketers that purchase or receive food from the above mentioned importers or manufacturers. 

Transitional Arrangements 

The draft order includes transitional provisions to allow businesses and supply chains sufficient time to adapt to the new requirements. 

For certain single-use food-contact articles, products manufactured using BPA before the effective date may continue to be filled and sealed during a 12-month transition period, until stocks are exhausted, provided they comply with the legislation applicable before the new requirements take effect. 

Certain qualifying single-use articles may also be placed on the market for the first time until 20 January 2028, subject to the specified conditions. These include articles intended for preserving certain fruits, vegetables or fishery products, as well as articles with BPA-based varnishes or coatings applied only to the external metal surface. 

For reusable food-contact articles, products manufactured using BPA before the effective date may continue to be marketed until 20 July 2027, provided they comply with the previous requirements. Additional provisions apply to certain reusable articles used as professional food-production equipment. They may be placed on the market for the first time until 20 January 2028 and  remain on the market until 20 January 2029. 

Proposed Effective Date 

The proposed order is scheduled to enter into force on 2 August 2026. As the order has not yet been finalized, its provisions may still change. 

Impact on Industry 

The proposed restrictions could have a significant impact on manufacturers and suppliers of food packaging, plastics, coatings, resins and other food-contact materials containing BPA or other bisphenols covered by the regulation. Companies supplying the Israeli market should review their existing products and applications, identify products that may fall within the scope of the proposed requirements, and assess the availability of suitable alternatives where necessary. 

The draft provides transitional periods to support industry adaptation and maintain continuity of supply. Companies involved in the manufacture, import or distribution of affected products should closely monitor the finalisation and publication of the regulation and begin assessing potential compliance requirements.