Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (a) what assessments have been carried out on the potential health risks of BPS-coated receipts for workers handling large volumes, including hospitality and retail staff, and (b) what measures are being implemented to ensure these workers are fully protected from these occupational hazards.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in its role as the Agency under the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) Regulation, published an Agency technical report - Bisphenol and bisphenol derivative developers in thermal paper. The report concluded, on the basis of the available hazard data, that Bisphenol S (BPS) is absorbed through the skin to a lesser extent than Bisphenol A (BPA), resulting in a lower overall dose for those handling thermal paper.

A restriction under UK REACH, mirrored across the UK and EU, prohibits the placing on the market of thermal paper containing BPA at concentrations equal to or greater than 0.02% by weight.

Separately, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) place clear duties on employers and the self‑employed to prevent, or where that is not reasonably practicable, to adequately control exposure to substances hazardous to health in the workplace. This requires dutyholders to assess risks, identify potential routes of exposure, and implement proportionate control measures in line with the recognised hierarchy of control, prioritising elimination or substitution with safer alternatives, followed by engineering and organisational controls, and relying on personal protective equipment only as a last resort.

Manufacturers, importers and suppliers also have legal responsibilities to ensure that substances placed on the market are safe when used as intended. This includes identifying hazardous properties, ensuring correct classification, labelling and packaging in accordance with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, and providing appropriate information to users. This information must include up‑to‑date Safety Data Sheets and clear advice on safe storage, handling, use and emergency measures.