MSC Agrees BPA is an Endocrine Disruptor

Echa's Member State Committee (MSC) has agreed with a proposal from France that bisphenol A (BPA) is a substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its endocrine disrupting properties that cause probable serious effects to human health.

BPA – which is used in common consumer goods such as water bottles, CDs and food and beverage cans – is already on the REACH candidate list of SVHCs because it is toxic for reproduction.

In May this year, trade association PlasticsEurope filed court action against Echa over its decision, saying that the vast majority of uses are as an intermediate, which is excluded from REACH.

This week, the MSC unanimously agreed on the substance's additional identification because of its endocrine disrupting properties, the effects of which give rise to an equivalent level of concern to carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction (CMR 1A or 1B) substances.

According to French authorities, evidence shows BPA can cause disruption of the oestrogenic pathway and alter reproductive function, mammary gland development, cognitive function and metabolism.

PlasticsEurope says it is highly concerned and does not understand the MSC's position. "The decision is in contrast with our thorough assessment of the scientific data on BPA," the body's Jasmin Bird says. She adds that it contradicts the conclusion of an independent European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) expert panel which cited WHO criteria stating BPA "is not an endocrine disruptor".

The MSC's decision "weakens the strong principle of science-based regulatory decisions in the EU, and will result in further uncertainty without providing benefit to the safety of consumers," Ms Bird says.

'20-year fight'

NGOs say that BPA has been suspected of disrupting the hormonal system, as well as having serious dangerous effects on human health and the environment, for more than 20 years and is "the most widely studied" hormone disruptor to date, according to ClientEarth.

Alice Bernard, a lawyer at the environmental law firm, says the EU and national governments must act fast to limit the "irreversible" damage the substance does.

Dolores Romano, from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), says all bisphenols have similar toxicity concerns and she urges prompt action on the group as a whole.

The 'difficulties' in getting the substance recognised as an endocrine disruptor is "yet another reminder of the critical importance to get the proposed EDC criteria right in the EU pesticides committee in the coming weeks," Health and Environmental Alliance's (HEAL) Natacha Cingotti says. HEAL is urging France to "hold its line" and encourages other member states to provide support in favour of strong criteria and reject the current proposal discussed in the context of the pesticides law.

Echa says MSC's agreement should be published by 22 June.