Statement re: RAC opinion on re-classification of BPA
Date
19 Mar 2014
Sections
Science & Policymaking
Polycarbonate/Bisphenol A group (PC/BPA) / Epoxy Resin Committee (ERC)
19/03/2014: On 12 March 2014, the ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopted an opinion proposing to reclassify bisphenol A (BPA) as reprotoxic 1 B, i.e. ‘presumed human reproductive toxicant’, under the
EU Regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixture (CLP). BPA is currently classified as reprotoxic 2, ‘suspected human reproductive toxicant’, under the CLP. The full RAC opinion is currently not available. The following provides an initial industry position.
RAC decision presumably the result of interpretation of revised classification criteria – not of any
new evidence of adverse effects
Generally, for Classification & Labelling assessments, valid guideline studies are used as the primary source of data. We believe that the RAC also based their assessment on such guideline studies. The conclusion of the most relevant studies for the assessment of reproductive toxicity, two large-scale multi-generation studies on BPA, conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines, is that
BPA should not be considered a selective reproductive toxicant. Accordingly, and based on our best understanding of the spirit and principles for classification in Europe, the available data does not support a reprotoxic 1 B conclusion, even with the revised classification criteria in the recently adopted Globally Harmonized System (GHS, CLP since Dec. 2012).
Adverse effects in multi-generation studies occur only at doses millions of times higher than typical
human exposure; BPA is not a risk to human health
Reproductive effects in guideline studies occur only at extremely high doses that are millions of times higher than typical human exposure. Neither the reported high-dose effects nor the proposed
reprotoxic 1 B classification are indicative of any risk to human health. The findings of these studies have already been incorporated into risk assessments conducted by government bodies around the
world. These assessments, including EFSA (2013, 2014) and US FDA (2013), consistently conclude that BPA is safe in its current uses. The proposed classification does not provide any new information to
change those conclusions.
The opinion will be forwarded to the European Commission, which will evaluate it and present a proposal for a re-classification to Member State experts. If the proposal is adopted, labelling information for handling BPA in production and converting processes will change.
For further information, please contact:
Jasmin Bird
Communications Manager
PC/BPA-Group
PlasticsEurope
Tel: +32 2 676 17 38
Fax: +32 2 675 39 35
Website: www.bisphenol-a-europe.org