Consultation on bisphenol A

Overview

This consultation is conducted by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) on behalf of the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health and seeks stakeholder’ view, comments and feedback in relation to the proposal to ban bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials (FCMs) as considered in this document. The responses received will provide evidence that will be used to make a formal decision on the status of BPA and its analogues

The purpose of this consultation is to support the implementation of a ban on bisphenol A (BPA), other bisphenols and derivatives in food contact materials. This consultation is not intended to revisit the scientific consensus on BPA's risks, but to gather any robust evidence that may justify an alternative approach for BPA and its analogues. The consultation will also help identify any practical considerations for implementation, including transition periods and potential exemptions while setting a high evidentiary threshold for any objections.

We ask stakeholders to consider any relevant provisions of law and other legitimate factors (other evidence further supporting clear, rational and justifiable risk analysis, such as consumer interests, technical feasibility and environmental factors), including those that FSS have identified as relevant to these applications. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to express views on the proposed ban which Scottish Ministers will use to inform their decision making.

The FSS opinions take into account the FSS/Food Standards Agency (FSA) safety assessments. The views gathered through this consultation will be considered and included alongside those of officials across FSS, the FSA, Devolved Administrations and UK Government Departments, in order to inform Scottish Ministers’ decision-making on whether to authorise the use of; the extension and change of use of; or the removal of the relevant regulated products in Scotland. The FSA have also published their opinion and launched a parallel consultation for English and Welsh stakeholders.

Why your views matter

Stakeholders are invited to consider the questions posed in relation to any relevant provisions of law and other legitimate factors as detailed above.  Stakeholder responses will be considered along with risk assessment and other factors in development of advice provided to Ministers. Unless the views gathered in the consultation provide additional evidence, the FSS will recommend that the ban is authorised on the proposed terms.

Full information including annexes is attached at the bottom of this page, please read before answering the questions in full.