The SCCS published at the end of October 2020 its provisional opinion on the risks associated with the presence of BPA in clothing. It concludes that exposure to BPA among consumers due to the wearing of textile articles is low and considered to be without risk of adverse effects , regardless of the age group (child / adult). As a preventive measure, the establishment of a limit concentration of 145 mg / kg in textiles would ensure consumer protection.
This opinion is currently the subject of a public consultation until December 7, 2020.
The conclusions of the Scientific Committee will enable the European Commission to determine whether a regulatory change targeting BPA in textile articles is necessary.
Remember that BPA is not intentionally used in the manufacture of textile articles. It is mainly used in the production of polycarbonate, epoxy resin, polyvinyl chloride and thermal paper. BPA is asubstance of very high concern (SVHC) on the Candidate List of the REACh regulation. It is restricted in thermal papers to entry 66 of Annex XVII of REACh, but is not currently restricted in fashion items. Due to its allergenicity (H317 hazard statement according to the European Hazardous Substances Regulation), BPA is within the scope of the draft articles on the limitation of skin allergens in products, with a proposed threshold of 130 mg/kg in textiles (ECHA 2019). It is close to the concentration recommended in SCCS report.
Link to the public consultation
