BPA and Bisphenol Derivatives: Analysis, Migration and Regulatory Requirements

The safety of materials that come into contact with food has become an increasingly important quality and regulatory issue for both manufacturers and consumers. Chemical components used in plastic packaging, metal cans, coatings, resins, and other food contact materials must be regularly evaluated. In this context, Bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenol derivatives are among the chemical substances that have received significant attention in recent years.

The widespread use of BPA in the production of certain types of plastics and resins has made it important to monitor its presence and potential migration from food contact materials. At the same time, as restrictions on the use of BPA have increased, manufacturers have increasingly turned to alternative bisphenols, making the evaluation of these substances equally important.

Therefore, BPA analysis, bisphenol derivative analysis, and migration testing play an important role in assessing product safety and compliance with relevant regulations.

What Is BPA?

Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is an organic compound primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Due to its ability to provide durability and chemical resistance, BPA has historically been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products.

Common applications of BPA include food and beverage packaging, plastic containers, internal coatings of metal cans, epoxy resins, varnishes, and various food contact materials.

However, concerns regarding the potential effects of BPA on human health have led to increasingly stringent regulations governing its use. In particular, its potential effects on the endocrine system have made BPA the subject of assessments by regulatory authorities worldwide.

Why Are BPA and Bisphenol Derivatives Important?

As restrictions on the use of BPA have increased, manufacturers have started to use alternative chemical substances. However, replacing BPA with another bisphenol does not automatically mean that a product is safe or compliant with applicable regulations.

For this reason, current assessments are not limited to determining whether BPA is present. Depending on the composition and intended use of a product, other bisphenols and specific bisphenol derivatives may also need to be evaluated.

This is particularly important for food contact materials. The raw materials, coatings, resins, and other chemical components used in these products should be assessed as part of an overall product safety approach.

Simply labeling a product as “BPA Free” does not necessarily mean that the product complies with all applicable chemical safety requirements. Alternative substances used during manufacturing may also need to be evaluated under relevant regulations.

Where Can BPA Be Found?

BPA and bisphenol derivatives can be encountered in various materials and products. They are particularly relevant when plastics, resins, and coating systems are used in food contact applications.

Product groups that may require evaluation for BPA include:

• Food packaging
• Plastic food containers
• Beverage packaging
• Metal cans
• Canned food packaging
• Internal coatings of metal packaging
• Epoxy resin-based coatings
• Varnishes and coatings
• Food contact equipment
• Reusable plastic products

However, the need for analysis is not the same for every product. Factors such as the chemical composition of the material, intended use, type of food contact, temperature, and contact duration should be considered when determining the appropriate testing scope.

What Is BPA Migration Analysis?

Migration analysis is an important part of the assessment of BPA in food contact materials.

Migration refers to the transfer of chemical substances from a material into food or into an appropriate food simulant under specified conditions.

The presence of BPA in a food contact material and the migration of BPA into food are not necessarily the same thing. Therefore, the intended conditions of use must also be taken into consideration.

The amount of migration may be affected by several factors, including:

• Characteristics of the food
• Contact duration
• Contact temperature
• Composition of the material
• Properties of the packaging

For this reason, BPA migration testing is an important analytical approach for evaluating the safety and regulatory compliance of food contact materials.

Why Should BPA Analysis Be Performed?

The primary purpose of BPA and bisphenol derivative analysis is to support the assessment of a product's chemical safety and compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.

BPA testing and related analyses may be performed for purposes such as:

• Verifying product safety
• Assessing raw material compliance
• Supporting supplier quality control
• Verifying new products
• Monitoring manufacturing processes
• Supporting pre-export compliance assessments
• Evaluating food contact materials

For companies exporting products to the European Union, keeping up with current regulations concerning BPA and other bisphenols is particularly important.

BPA Regulations in the European Union

The European Union has introduced significant regulatory restrictions on the use of BPA in food contact materials.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 introduced comprehensive restrictions concerning BPA, BPA salts, and certain hazardous bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in food contact materials.

The regulation concerns various food contact materials, including plastics, varnishes and coatings, adhesives, rubbers, silicones, and printing inks.

These developments have made it increasingly important for manufacturers to assess not only the use of BPA but also other bisphenols present in their products.

As the legislation may include transitional provisions and specific conditions for certain product groups, a product-specific assessment based on the latest regulatory requirements is important.

Are BPA-Free Products Safe?

The term “BPA Free” does not necessarily mean that a product is free from all chemical risks.

Other chemical substances may be used as alternatives to BPA. Therefore, instead of assessing a product solely for BPA, alternative substances may also need to be evaluated according to their intended use and applicable regulations.

This approach is particularly important for food contact materials. Product safety cannot be determined solely by testing for a single chemical substance.

Raw material selection, manufacturing processes, coatings and resins used, intended conditions of use, and migration characteristics should be considered together.

How Are BPA and Bisphenol Derivative Analyses Evaluated?

When planning BPA analysis, the composition and intended use of the product should first be determined. The material from which the product is manufactured, whether it comes into direct contact with food, the contact conditions, and the markets in which the product will be sold are all important factors in determining the appropriate testing scope.

Based on this information, the required chemical analyses and migration tests can be identified.

Laboratory test results can support the assessment of a product against applicable regulatory requirements and, where necessary, contribute to overall compliance documentation and product safety evaluations.

BPA Analysis with KCL Laboratory

Determining the appropriate analytical tests is essential for evaluating the safety and regulatory compliance of food contact materials.

KCL Laboratory provides laboratory services for assessing analytical requirements based on the composition and intended use of products.

In addition to BPA and bisphenol derivative analyses, migration testing and other relevant chemical analyses may be considered as part of the overall compliance assessment, depending on the characteristics of the product.

Manufacturers, packaging producers, and exporters can benefit from professional laboratory testing to evaluate their products for BPA, bisphenols, and other relevant chemical parameters.

Conclusion

BPA and bisphenol derivatives are important chemical safety concerns, particularly in relation to food contact materials. As restrictions on the use of BPA continue to increase, it has become increasingly important to evaluate not only BPA itself but also alternative bisphenols and specific bisphenol derivatives.

BPA analysis, BPA migration testing, and bisphenol derivative analysis are important tools that can help manufacturers assess product safety and regulatory compliance.

Companies placing products on the European Union market should closely monitor current regulatory requirements and support their products with appropriate analytical testing.

KCL Laboratory can support manufacturers in identifying and performing the analyses required to assess the chemical safety and regulatory compliance of food contact materials.