(plasteurope) -- Sweden has revealed
plans to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from baby food packaging from the beginning of
2013. The new legislation will apply to jars, bottles and formula containers
aimed at children under the age of three. With these restrictions, the
government stopped short of farther-reaching plans proposed in a joint report of
the Swedish Chemicals Agency suggesting that the chemical be phased out in
epoxy resin liners for cans and water pipes by the end of 2012.
Government authorities said the quick phase-out was not legally feasible,
especially as it could be in conflict with EU legislation that banned BPA in
baby bottles from the end of 2011.
It was recently revealed that
four EU member states, including the UK, the Czech Republic, Spain and The
Netherlands, had filed objections to the French plans. Italy and Slovakia
additionally are said to have addressed some concerns, with all objectors
contending that stricter regulations in France would be a barrier to trade
within the single market. Observers note also that the US could be expected to
launch legal action to protect its juice and beer exports. |