(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.
MRC