European regulatory change: Everything you need to know about the end of polycarbonate with BPA

If you are a regular Plàstics Espelt customer and work with polycarbonate (PC) products for food and beverage contact, this article is for you. The European Union has implemented new regulations that radically change the landscape for these products, and it is essential that you know the key dates and available alternatives.

What has changed exactly?

The European Union has approved Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, which came into force on 20 January 2025. This regulation very strictly prohibits the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and beverages.

Why is this important? Because BPA is the monomer commonly used to manufacture polycarbonate (PC), the material of many glasses, jugs and other reusable items you probably already use in your business.

The dates you need to mark in your calendar

📅 20 July 2026 – LAST DATE TO BUY

This is the deadline for you to purchase our existing stock of polycarbonate parts for food contact.

After this date, we will no longer be able to sell new polycarbonate items intended for food use in the European Union. This is the limit set by the regulation for the “first placing on the market” of these products.

📅 20 January 2029 – LAST DATE TO SELL

PC products you have purchased before 20/07/2026 can continue to be sold to your customers until this date.

The regulation allows items already on the market to continue to circulate and be marketed during this transitional period. But after January 2029, these products must cease to be marketed in the EU.

What does this mean in practice?

To summarise clearly:

✓ Until 20/07/2026: You can continue to buy our polycarbonate stock
✓ Until 20/01/2029: You can continue to sell that stock to your customers
✗ After 20/07/2026: There will be no more sales of new PC products for food use
✗ After 20/01/2029: Existing products must cease to be marketed in the EU

Important: The regulation does not require the product to be withdrawn from the end consumer once they have purchased it. It only regulates marketing in the EU market.

Your alternatives: SAN and TRITAN™

We understand that this change may affect your operations, which is why we have worked intensively to offer you equivalent solutions that comply with the new regulations.

Option 1: SAN (Styrene-Acrylonitrile) – Our standard solution

What is it? A rigid, transparent, reusable and recyclable material, BPA-free.

Advantages:

• Same product line we had in PC, now in SAN
• Laboratory-tested formulations
• Declaration of Conformity included
• Permanent stock available
• Suitable for food contact

Key difference: SAN is not unbreakable like PC, but maintains excellent properties for hospitality use.

Option 2: TRITAN™ (Copolyester) – For demanding applications

When to choose it? If you need unbreakable products for intensive use.

Advantages:

• Impact resistance similar to PC
• BPA-free
• Specifically designed for food use
• Declaration of Conformity included
• Ideal for high-performance glasses, cups and jugs

Consideration: This range is manufactured to order, not in permanent stock.

Special cases

Is your use non-food?

If the PC items are intended for decoration, props, technical uses or other purposes that do not involve food contact, the food contact materials regime may not apply.

However, the responsibility for guaranteeing the actual end use lies with you as the economic operator marketing the product.

Do you export outside the EU?

If your final destination is outside the European Union, the regulations of the destination country will apply. In that case, we can continue to supply PC stock configured as export, provided you comply with the legislation of the destination market.

Recommendation: Always verify the intended use, the destination market and the applicable regulations in each country.

Why this reminder is important

We have sent this information to all our customers, but we observe that many continue to operate as if nothing had changed. Time is running out, and it is essential that you plan your transition:

🔴 If you need PC stock to complete existing orders: Talk to us as soon as possible. The deadline until July 2026 may seem far away, but it is important to plan.

🟢 If you want to start the transition to SAN or TRITAN™: We are ready to advise you and help you choose the best alternative for your products.

Regulatory references

For those who want to delve into the legal aspects:

• Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, of 19 December 2024, on the use of BPA and other bisphenols in food contact materials
• Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, on plastic materials intended for food contact (amended to eliminate BPA)
• Repeals Regulation (EU) 2018/213

Executive summary

Need advice?

Our commercial and technical team is at your disposal to:

✓ Study the replacement of your specific polycarbonate references
✓ Advise you on which material (SAN or TRITAN™) is most suitable for your application
✓ Help you plan the transition without interrupting your activity
✓ Resolve any questions about the new regulations

Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can plan today. The change is mandatory, but we can do it together in an orderly manner and without surprises.