EU BPA Restrictions Enter a Critical Transition Period, Prompting Food Processing Equipment Manufacturers to Reassess Plastic Components

Food processing equipment often operates continuously for extended periods. Its plastic components must not only meet mechanical strength and dimensional accuracy requirements but may also be exposed to food, cleaning agents, hot water and different processing media. As food safety regulations continue to evolve, equipment manufacturers can no longer focus exclusively on basic material properties when developing new products or replacing existing components. Food contact safety, migration risks, batch traceability and long-term performance must also be considered.

In December 2024, the European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, introducing new restrictions on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and certain other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials and articles. The regulation entered into force on January 20, 2025. For general reusable food contact articles that complied with the previous rules but do not meet the new requirements, the transitional period ended on July 20, 2026. However, certain reusable food-contact components used in professional food production equipment were granted a longer transition period. Eligible final articles may be first placed on the EU market until January 20, 2028, and may remain on the market under the applicable conditions until January 20, 2029.

The European Commission's implementation guidance specifically identifies confectionery molds, seals, pumps, flanges, gauges and sight glasses as examples of components used in professional food production equipment. These parts often form part of larger production systems, and replacing them may require modifications to the overall equipment structure. This is why a longer transition period was provided for qualifying products. However, eligibility must be assessed according to the component's actual application, food contact conditions and regulatory requirements. Not every food processing equipment component automatically qualifies for the 2028 deadline.

For equipment manufacturers, this regulatory change is about more than simply finding a new BPA-free material. The entire component supply chain needs to be reviewed, including material composition, operating conditions and manufacturing processes. For example, guide rails and support components in food conveyors experience continuous friction. Pump housings, connectors and sealing structures may be exposed to cleaning chemicals, temperature fluctuations and different processing media. Reusable plastic components may also need to maintain their dimensions and mechanical properties after repeated cleaning cycles. Replacing the material without considering component geometry, tooling and injection molding conditions can lead to warpage, assembly deviations, sealing failures or reduced service life.

When selecting materials, food-contact engineering plastics must be evaluated according to food type, contact duration, operating temperature and cleaning conditions. For selected components requiring mechanical strength and dimensional stability, appropriately validated food-contact PA formulations and other suitable engineering plastics may be considered. It is important to note that standard PA6 or PA66 is not automatically compliant with food contact requirements. Glass fiber reinforcement, additives, colorants and processing conditions may all influence the suitability of the finished article. Likewise, being BPA-free does not automatically mean that a material complies with all food contact regulations. Manufacturers also need appropriate material information, Declarations of Compliance (DoCs), relevant testing and traceability documentation according to the applicable requirements.

For custom food processing equipment components, regulatory compliance and manufacturing consistency should be considered together from the initial design stage. TechInherit provides food-grade custom injection-molded component solutions, evaluating suitable materials according to target market regulations, component geometry and operating conditions. Through mold development and structural optimization, complex component geometries and dimensional consistency can be addressed during tooling development. During mass production, precision injection molding helps control shrinkage, appearance and assembly dimensions. For existing parts experiencing wear, unpleasant odour, deformation or excessive manufacturing costs, improvement opportunities can be evaluated through material formulation, component geometry and molding parameters.

For food processing equipment manufacturers, regulatory changes also provide an opportunity to reassess their supply chains. Rather than waiting until existing components become unsuitable and then rushing into replacements, manufacturers can identify food-contact components in advance, review material compliance documentation and evaluate the design and manufacturing requirements of parts that may need replacement. Appropriate material selection and tooling optimization can help avoid unnecessary material upgrades and complete equipment redesigns while supporting food contact requirements, improving production efficiency and controlling long-term maintenance costs.