Switzerland
Switzerland Bans BPA And Hazardous Bisphenols In Food Contact Materials
Switzerland’s 2025 ban on BPA and hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials introduces strict controls on formulation, migration limits, and market authorisation. With phased deadlines through to 2029, the regulation affects a wide range of industries—from packaging and food production to materials science—underscoring the urgency for compliance planning.
Published in June 2025. Dates, deadlines and stages may have changed since.
Dr Steven Brennan
2 min readAI-drafted, expert reviewed
Switzerland will implement a nationwide ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials from 1 July 2025, under a revised Swiss FCM Ordinance. This regulatory move targets all manufacturers, importers, and distributors of coated materials, triggering compliance obligations across packaging, food production, and consumer goods supply chains.
New BPA Restrictions Signal A Shift In Swiss Chemicals Policy
The Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs (DFI) has amended the Ordinance on Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (RS 817.023.21), also known as the Swiss FCM Ordinance, to introduce one of the most rigorous national restrictions on BPA to date.
The updated regulation prohibits the use of 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphényl)propane (BPA, CAS: 80-05-7) and its salts in the manufacture of varnishes and coatings. It also bans placing on the market any food contact materials made with these substances.
An exemption allows BPA in epoxy resins for containers exceeding 1,000 litres, under the strict condition that BPA migration into food is not detectable (limit: 1 μg/kg).
Wider Ban Includes Other Hazardous Bisphenols
The ban extends beyond BPA to cover all hazardous bisphenols and their derivatives classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, or endocrine disruptors under Swiss law (OChim Annex 2, chapter 1). These materials are barred from both production and marketing if used in food contact coatings.
Regulated entities must confirm compliance through validated extraction methods capable of detecting bisphenol residues down to 1 μg/kg.
Transition Periods For Industry Stakeholders
Affected businesses must prepare for phased implementation:
- 20 July 2026: Deadline to place non-compliant single-use items on the market.
- 20 January 2029: Final use deadline for certain reusable or professional-use articles.
Clear labelling and Declarations of Conformity are mandatory, including a list of all bisphenols used.
These changes impact manufacturers, importers, food packagers, retailers, and professional food producers alike.
Official source
fedlex.admin.chQuestions about this change
Does the Swiss BPA ban align with EU food contact regulations?
While it complements EU trends, Switzerland’s regulation is notably stricter, particularly regarding detection thresholds (1 μg/kg) and the explicit ban on all hazardous bisphenols and derivatives classified as CMR or endocrine disruptors. This raises the bar for manufacturers exporting to Switzerland.
What are the compliance deadlines for BPA restrictions in Switzerland?
Key transition dates include 20 July 2026 for removing non-compliant single-use items from the market and 20 January 2029 for phasing out certain reusable or professional-use materials. Compliance also involves reformulation, labelling updates, and conformity declarations.
Dr Steven Brennan
CEO and co-founder of Foresight, and a co-opted member of ECHA's Committee for Socio-economic Analysis. He holds a PhD in chemical engineering.
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