The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified bisphenol A, a chemical found in many common plastic products, as an endocrine disruptor and a ‘substance of very high concern’. EURACTIV France reports.

The ECHA last week classified bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine disruptor, due to its “probable serious effects to human health which give rise to an equivalent level of concern to carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction substances”.

BPA is notably suspected of damaging fertility and foetal development.

In itself, this decision is nothing new. France banned BPA in baby bottles in 2010 and in food containers in 2012. The substance is widely used in the plastic coatings inside aluminium food cans, but is also present in plastic straws, many plastic toys and the coatings of paper till receipts.

The new European classification for BPA follows a proposal by the French food security agency (ANSES) from February this year. ECHA’s member state committee, made up of representatives from all 28 EU countries, agreed the change unanimously on 16 June.

Still no European definition

Despite repeated calls from scientists, NGOs and consumer and environmental groups, the EU has yet to set a legal definition of endocrine disruptors.

Scientific definitions are not hard to come by, but the big chemical lobbies and pesticide producers have so far managed to short-circuit any European action on the subject and safeguard their interests. Under these conditions, imposing any limitations on the use of these products, even if they are known to pose risks to human health and the environment, is no easy task.

The European Commission should amend its proposed criteria on endocrine disruptors and adopt a horizontal approach covering not only pesticides but also other products, a new report says.