REACH Annex XV: bisphenols restriction intention (Germany)
SUMMARY
Germany has notified ECHA of its intention to prepare a restriction dossier concerning bisphenols with endocrine disrupting properties for the environment and their salts.
Germany’s restriction intention marks the first formal step of the REACH restriction process, indicating plans to prepare and submit a restriction proposal to ECHA under Annex XV of the REACH Regulation.
The substances currently within the scope of the envisaged restriction include BPA, BPB, BPS, BPF, BPAF and its eight salts. It would target uses associated with significant emission potential, namely:
- leather tanning and leather articles
- textile finishing agents and textile articles
- thermal paper
- articles and mixtures made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
MORE INFORMATION
According to the published intention, the objective of the restriction is to minimize environmental emissions of bisphenols with known endocrine disrupting properties for the environment and to avoid regrettable substitution.
The future dossier is expected to assess different restriction options and possible limit values, as well as additional conditions aimed at reducing emissions from recycling processes and the second-hand market.
It may also include a mechanism allowing the European Commission to extend the scope of the restriction to additional bisphenols identified at EU level as endocrine disruptors for the environment.
NEXT STEPS
Germany is expected to submit the restriction dossier to ECHA by 12 March 2027.
FESI will continue to follow developments on this initiative and will update members as the restriction process progresses.
Members are also kindly asked to inform us if this topic may be relevant to their activities, to allow us to better assess potential impacts and ensure targeted follow-up as the restriction process progresses.
