EU Designates Bisphenol A an Endocrine Disruptor

The widely used chemical bisphenol A will be categorized as an endocrine disruptor for the purposes of the European Union’s REACH regulation, the European Chemicals Agency said June 16.

Bisphenol A is already considered under REACH to be a “substance of very high concern” (SVHC) because it is toxic to reproduction. But a regulatory committee of representatives from the EU’s 28 countries unanimously agreed at a June 12-16 meeting that it should also be designated an endocrine disruptor, or a substance that could damage the hormone system, the chemicals agency said.

The additional designation has no immediate impact but could ...