International concern over the presence of endocrine disruptors (ED), especially Bisphenol A (BPA) and its derivatives, has reached record levels. These persistent substances, capable of disrupting the hormonal and reproductive systems of humans and animals, are undergoing extensive scientific and regulatory review.
In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended reducing the tolerable daily intake of BPA by 100.000 times, while US authorities (FDAThey are also studying new limits. At the same time, regulations such as Directive (EU) 2020/2184, the recent Royal Decree 3/2023 in Spain, and the work of the ECHA indicate a clear trend towards restrictions on food, beverages, drinking water, and all kinds of industrial and consumer products.
In this context, sectors highly dependent on bisphenol-based resins and additives—such as epoxy coatings—are facing an unprecedented transformation. SAFE-ED Coatings project, coordinated by FAKOLITH and with the participation of AIMPLASThe Technological Institute of Plastics was created to provide technical, health, and regulatory responses to this new scenario. Its objective is to develop up to four innovative coating systems that reduce to undetectable value (<1ppb) or eliminate the migration of endocrine disruptors, while guaranteeing the necessary functionality for use on construction and civil works surfaces, food industry facilities (indirect contact), direct contact with drinking water and direct contact with food and beverages.
From FAKOLITH, Marta GarciaThe R&D director stated that “the rapid pace of legislative change means that many current solutions become obsolete. The coatings sector needs safe and functional alternatives, and SAFE-ED Coatings will allow us to anticipate these changes with viable technologies for the industry and properly certified market solutions.”
For her part, the researcher from the Food Contact and Packaging Laboratory at AIMPLAS, Mª Carmen MorenoHe explained that "we are adapting and expanding our testing methodologies for coatings in order to respond to the new regulatory limits."
FAKOLITH, a specialist in coatings for surfaces in direct and indirect contact with food, beverages and drinking water, is leading the development and formulation of new systems, focusing on the principles of elimination, reduction and encapsulation of endocrine disruptors.
The project has started from a base of no less than 80 raw materials, of which at least 60 (75%) are expected to meet the requirements for direct contact with food and also be functional for the new coating systems.
Advanced methodologies
For its part, AIMPLAS is contributing its expertise in legislation and risk assessment. It has evaluated the regulatory documentation for raw materials, defined the necessary tests in accordance with current regulations and their upcoming updates, and applied advanced methodologies to adapt the standards applicable to coatings, as well as to meet the increasingly lower regulatory limits (<1ppb).
In the face of one of the most significant regulatory changes in recent years regarding food safety, SAFE-ED Coatings is positioning itself as a strategic project that will allow the industry to move towards high-performance, sustainable and safe coatings, ensuring compliance with current and future regulations.
SAFE ED Coatings will have a direct impact on sectors particularly exposed to the new restrictions, such as the food industry, construction, civil engineering, healthcare, and drinking water facilities. The project will enhance the safety of surfaces in direct and indirect contact with food, beverages, and drinking water by drastically reducing and eliminating the migration of endocrine disruptors. Furthermore, it will promote the adoption of more sustainable alternatives based on bio-based materials, ensure the operational continuity of industrial applications affected by the recent ban and restrictions on bisphenols, and facilitate knowledge transfer to manufacturers, applicators, and the entire value chain of specialized coatings.
The project will conclude at the end of 2026 and is funded by the European Union – NextGeneration EU through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and supported by the State Research Agency (AEI) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
