The General court of the European Union (EGC) dismissed a complaint by the industry Association plasticseurope, had challenged the EU-wide assessment of the chemical Bisphenol-A. The plastic used to produce the connection was because of effects on fertility as a “substance of very high concern” list, said the court on Thursday.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as an intermediate in the production of plastics is due to its hormone-like effect but for years in the criticism. In baby bottles, BPA has been banned since 2011 in the EU. In addition, the substance is, however, still in many everyday objects, such as in plastic tableware, cans and cash register receipts made of thermal paper.
Public better about the risks, inform
The decision of the court goes back to a regulation from July 2016. At that time, the EU had classified Commission of Bisphenol A as ‘toxic to reproduction’, i.e. harmful to the reproductive ability. The European chemicals Agency, ECHA decided to then, the chemical in the list of substances of very high concern in the European REACH-regulation.
In contrast, the Association PlasticsEurope, which represents the interests of four companies, the sell Bisphenol A, turned to. The reasoning: The ECHA did not include in its evaluation adequate that BPA was used as an intermediate product. The court of first instance dismissed. According to the REACH regulation, a substance can be classified as a “particularly worrying” if he would only be used as an isolated intermediate, – stated in the explanatory statement.
In addition, the court emphasized that the determination of the particularly disturbing nature of the substance serve also to “inform the Public and professionals about the risks and dangers to which you expose yourself.” The decision can be appealed to the European court of justice (ECJ).
File Number T-185/17