Austria: Ban of Bisphenol A in Pacifiers and Teethers

Austria’s ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in pacifiers and teethers takes effect on 1 February 2012. It prohibits the manufacture and placing of pacifiers and teethers on the market that contain bisphenol A. The ban was published on 6 October 2011 in the Federal Law Journal for the Republic of Austria and amends the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (Lebensmittelsicherheits-und Verbraucherschutz).

Background
Bisphenol A (CAS 80-05-7) is used as a monomer in the manufacture of plastics, such as epoxy resins and polycorbonate. Due to the possible vulnerability of infants to potential harmful effects, bisphenol A is already regulated in the European Union in plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, such as feeding bottles under 2011/8/EU. Now, Austria is extending this ban to pacifiers and teethers.

Restriction of Bisphenol A
On 6 October 2011 Austria published a ban of bisphenol A in the Federal Law Journal for the Republic of Austria by amending the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Act (Lebensmittel-sicherheits-und Verbraucherschutz, LMSVG). Therefore, it is forbidden to produce pacifiers or teethers from bisphenol A or to bring these products on the market if they contain bisphenol A. This regulation goes into force three months after the first of the month following its promulgation, which is 1 February 2012. Pacifiers and teethers not complying with this regulation but already in the market can continue to be sold.

Additional Information The regulation (in German) can be found at:
http://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokument.wxe?Abfrage=BgblAuth&Dokumentnummer=BGBLA_2011_II_327

Bureau Veritas Solutions and Services

Bureau Veritas offers a wide range of chemical management solutions to help you overcome the challenges of complying with this and other regulations. To find out how we can assist you in meeting a variety of requirements visit: www.bureauveritas.de/cps, www.bureauveritas.co.uk/cps, www.bureauveritas.fr/cps, or email: cps-hamburg@de.bureauveritas.com

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