FSA changes BPA ban plan; FEA to host webinar explaining developments
BPA ban update: UK regulation complexities – FEA plans webinar to update members
Following discussions with FEA, FSA publishes revision to BPA ban date
FEA says that the latest update from the Food Standards Authority (FSA), published on 23rd and 24th April, will mean that the BPA ban in the UK, due from July 2026, will be delayed. However, the EU’s BPA ban will proceed as planned, so UK companies trading in the EU need to be prepared for it. The FSA will still be introducing the ban in the UK, but not at the same time as the EU
“This is a complicated and evolving situation which will have a big impact on the UK foodservice industry,” says FEA’s technical and policy director Luke Slater. “The FSA’s update will allay some of the concerns of companies supplying the affected products.”
Originally the FSA stated the UK BPA ban would be coordinated to align with the EU dates. This would have meant:
- Single Use FCMs (food contact materials) being placed on the market after 20th July 2026 banned from onward sale in the UK
- Repeat Use FCMs being placed on the market after 20th July 2026 banned from onward sale in the UK, but if placed on the market prior to this date, benefitting from a one year sell through period (“remaining on the market”) until 20th July 2027 (as per EU regulation)
The updated statement from the FSA follows after engagement with FEA. FEA have covered concerns that its members had over the date alignment with the EU. Slater explains, “Whilst it was generally accepted that a one year sell through period would be sufficient for industry to adapt, the proposed deadline of 20th July 2026 for products to be placed “on the market” would have resulted in significant economic and environmental damage across our industry, with vast quantities of un-sellable product heading to landfill, especially given the restrictive recycling options for products of this nature Whilst the industry is generally supportive of the removal of BPA from food contact materials, to do it properly, it is paramount that sufficient time is allocated to do so. We thank the FSA and our Government contacts for engaging on this subject”.
The FSA remains committed to introducing the ban, however it is not expected to be enforceable until mid-2027 at the earliest, as part of the UK-EU SPS Agreement. FEA encourages the industry to track this carefully. “FEA Members received a dedicated Technical Note (TN0002) regarding the latest information and regulatory framework last week. I am available to talk with any members requiring additional information on this topic” added Slater.
In order to help FEA members get to grips with the latest developments, FEA is hosting a 30 minute webinar on Monday 11th May at 3pm. Slater will be giving a short presentation followed by a Q&A. Anyone wanting to attend should contact sj.campbell@fea.org.uk to register their place and get the link.
BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of some hard plastics and has been linked with hormone changes in humans in certain cases. Products affected in terms of the foodservice industry include a huge range of equipment, from containers for food transport and storage to tableware and kitchenware such as utensils, chopping boards and drinking vessels.
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