Press release
29 July 2010
Ministry of the Environment
Government preparing a national ban on bisphenol A in baby bottles
Today the Government decided to instruct the Swedish Chemicals Agency and the National Food Administration to propose how a national ban on bisphenol A in baby bottles and in certain plastic products could be designed.
"A ban for the EU's 500 million inhabitants would of course have a greater impact than a ban for the 9 million people living in Sweden. But the process is too slow. Alternatives already exist and we should be extra careful where children are concerned. This is why we have chosen to prepare a national ban in parallel," says Mr Carlgren. "It is unacceptable that young children are exposed to the risks that have been proven to be associated with bisphenol A, especially when changing to alternative materials is easy. This is why we are now making the first move by preparing a national ban," says Minister for the Environment Andreas Carlgren.
Both agencies are to examine the need and conditions for a national ban on the use of bisphenol A in certain plastic products. The task includes drawing up a proposal for the specifics of the ban.
Bisphenol A is a component of polycarbonate plastics. It is already known that the substance has endocrine-disrupting properties. Recent animal tests on young individuals have indicated that the substance may impede learning and cause behaviour disorders, even in very low doses. Children run the risk of consuming bisphenol A, above all through bottles made from polycarbonates.
The European Food Safety Authority's scientific panel has therefore been instructed by the European Commission to evaluate the risks. The panel was expected to present its statement in mid-July, but announced that the work had been delayed and would be completed in September. The European Commission will then take a position on a possible regulation at EU level
Sweden's concern over the risks associated with bisphenol A is shared by several countries within and outside the EU. Both Denmark and France have introduced bans. The Danish ban covers use in all materials that come into contact with food intended for children between the ages of 0-3 years, while the French ban only applies until further notice to baby bottles. The use of the substance in baby bottles has also been banned in Canada, while US authorities are supporting voluntary initiatives to replace bisphenol A.
Those wanting to avoid bisphenol A from baby bottles can swap to a bottle made from a different plastic, glass or stainless steel, or choose not to heat the water in the bottle in the microwave. See the National Food Administration website: www.slv.se.
The report is to be submitted to the Ministry for the Environment no later than 31 March 2011.
Contact
Jerker ForsellDesk Officer
+46 8 405 39 71
+46 70 389 39 71
