For high-volume events, high-turnover catering services, or environments where safety and speed matter (trade shows, conferences, hospitality or receptions), reusable cups and glasses have become a practical solution: fewer breakages, fewer incidents, and a more consistent experience for attendees.
However, 2025 marks a turning point in Europe for reusable cups and glasses made from polycarbonate (PC).
The European Union has approved regulations that strictly restrict the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and beverages. Since BPA has traditionally been used to manufacture polycarbonate, this change affects PC cups, pitchers and other reusable food-contact items.
In this post, we explain what is changing, until when existing stock can be purchased and sold, and which alternatives are available (SAN or Tritan-type copolyester) to continue offering reusable solutions in a safe, compliant way.
Quick decision summary
The EU has adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, which restricts the use of BPA in materials and articles that come into contact with food and beverages (including reusable cups and glasses).
This impacts polycarbonate (PC) because it has traditionally been manufactured using BPA.
Key dates for purchasing and stock planning
1) From 20/01/2025
The regulation is already in force, and the market begins the transition toward BPA-free alternatives.
2) Until 20/07/2026
The first placing on the market within the EU is allowed for existing stock of reusable articles manufactured with BPA under the previous regulatory framework.
3) Until 20/01/2029
Stock that was placed on the market before 20/07/2026 may continue to be sold within the EU until this date.
Recommended BPA-free alternatives for events
- SAN: transparent and reusable, a solid standard option when extreme impact resistance is not critical.
- Tritan-type copolyester: designed for higher impact resistance and intensive event use.
What is polycarbonate (PC) and why has it been widely used for events?
Polycarbonate (PC) has been widely used for reusable cups and glasses thanks to its durability and because it fits the real-world demands of many events: fewer breakages than glass, better safety in high-traffic areas, and faster service.
The key point is that polycarbonate has traditionally been manufactured using BPA (bisphenol A), which is precisely why the regulatory change affects this material.
Key dates: until when can polycarbonate (PC) be purchased and sold?
This is the most important part for many event teams: planning purchases, managing stock and timelines.
1) Until when can PC stock for food contact be purchased?
Existing stock of reusable polycarbonate food-contact items can be purchased up to 20 July 2026.
In regulatory terms, this corresponds to the deadline for the “first placing on the market.”.
2) Until when can that stock be sold within the EU?
Polycarbonate products that were placed on the market before 20/07/2026 may continue to be sold within the EU until 20 January 2029.
This is considered “remaining on the market.”
3) What do “first placing on the market” and “remaining on the market” mean?
- First placing on the market occurs when the first sale of those items takes place within the EU.
- Subsequent sales throughout the supply chain (distribution and resale to customers) fall under remaining on the market, which is permitted until 20/01/2029.
What happens from 20/07/2026 and from 20/01/2029?
- From 20/07/2026, new polycarbonate food-contact items can no longer be placed on the market in the EU.
- From 20/01/2029, items that were placed on the market during the transitional period must stop being sold within the EU.
Important: the regulation governs marketing and sales within the EU, and it does not require the withdrawal of products from private use once they are already in the hands of the end consumer.
What BPA-free alternatives exist to polycarbonate for reusable cups and glasses?
With this change, items intended to come into contact with food and beverages must be replaced with BPA-free materials that comply with the applicable rules..
As alternatives to polycarbonate, there are two common options in the market:
Alternative 1: SAN (standard BPA-free option)
El SAN (styrene–acrylonitrile) is used as an alternative to polycarbonate for reusable cups and glasses, especially when looking for a BPA-free option with a clear, rigid finish.
From a performance perspective, SAN typically offers:
- Transparency and rigidity, with a clean, professional look for table service or catering.
- Reusable performance for operations where extreme impact resistance is not required.
- A good solution for controlled events, such as cocktails, receptions or services with lower risk of drops.
- Important: it is not considered “unbreakable,” so it is not ideal for environments with constant impacts or high-intensity use.
When should you recommend SAN to your client?
- When the goal is to meet BPA-free requirements with a standard material.
- When the event prioritizes presentation and service over extreme impact resistance.
- When a practical reusable solution is needed for hospitality, relaxed catering or indoor settings.
Alternative 2: Better than glass (BPA-free copolyester, TRITAN™)
When an event requires impact resistance, high service turnover and a reusable solution designed for intensive use (catering, hospitality, trade shows, conferences and corporate events), the most robust option is to choose a BPA-free copolyester, often referred to in the market as TRITAN™ material.
At The Brand Company, we work with this solution as Better than glass, because it maintains a very clear and refined look while being designed to withstand real event operations.
¿Why choose BPA tipo TRITAN™ BPA-free copolyester ?
- Higher impact resistance, especially in intensive drink service.
- Food-contact safe, BPA-free, and suitable for beverages and food use.
- Built for “real event” conditions: fast service, constant handling and improved safety.
When do we recommend it for your client’s brand?
- When the event has high attendance or high turnover service.
- When minimizing incidents from impacts or drops is a priority.
- When the key objective is durability and consistent performance, without compromising a clean presentation.
What to choose depending on the type of event
If your client needs to decide quickly, this guideline works well:
- Trade shows, conferences, hospitality and high-turnover catering: Better than glass (TRITAN™-type BPA-free copolyester).
- Cocktails, receptions and calm service (controlled environment): SAN may be sufficient.
- Premium events with refined aesthetics + intensive use: Better than glass is the safest operational choice.
What if the use is not food-related or the final destination is outside the EU?
In some projects, the cup or glass is not actually used for serving food or drinks, or the goods are sold outside the European market. In these cases, two situations should be considered:
1) If the final use does not involve contact with food or beverages
For uses such as decoration, props or technical applications, food-contact rules may not apply. However, responsibility for ensuring the real end-use lies with the economic operator placing the product on the market.
2) If the goods are destined outside the EU
The rules of the destination country apply. In that case, the operation must be structured as an export and comply with the applicable legislation in the target market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can polycarbonate cups still be sold in Europe?
Yes, within the transitional period. Stock placed on the market before 20/07/2026 may continue to be sold within the EU until 20/01/2029.
Until when can I buy polycarbonate cups or glasses for events?
Until 20/07/2026, as the deadline for first placing on the market within the EU. Stock already placed on the market before that date may continue to be sold within the EU until 20/01/2029.
Until when can I resell the stock I purchase?
Until 20/01/2029, provided the stock was first placed on the market before 20/07/2026.
Which material replaces BPA-containing polycarbonate?
Two clear alternatives: SAN (standard BPA-free option) and TRITAN™-type BPA-free copolyester (higher impact resistance).
Is SAN unbreakable?
No. SAN is rigid and transparent, but it is not considered unbreakable.
Will polycarbonate cups already in consumers’ hands be withdrawn?
The regulation governs marketing and sales in the EU and does not require withdrawal from private use once the product is in the end consumer’s possession.
How to plan the transition without affecting event operations
For agencies, caterers and event organizers, the goal is not only compliance: it is ensuring the event runs just as smoothly (or even better).
Practical recommendation:
- Identify which references were made in polycarbonate for drink/food contact.
- Decide whether the priority is a standard clear option (SAN) or intensive use/impact resistance (tipo TRITAN™ type BPA-free copolyester).
- Align purchasing timelines with the key deadlines (2026/2029).
- Keep personalization as a brand value: reusable drinkware is still a direct support to boost visibility for your client’s brand.
Want us to recommend the best alternative for your event?
If your client needs reusable cups and glasses for events, at The Brand Company we specialize in Better than glass, made from TRITAN™ -type BPA-free copolyester, ideal when operations require impact resistance, intensive use and a clear, refined presentation.
We help you choose the most suitable format depending on the service type, volume and event setting (catering, hospitality, trade show, conference, outdoor or high-traffic), so your client’s brand gains visibility with a reusable solution designed for real event conditions.
If you are also considering other BPA-free alternatives such as SAN, we can advise you on when it makes sense and when a high-resistance copolyester is the better option.
Contact us at info@thebrandcompany.net or request your proposal at thebrandcompany.net.
and then Add to Home Screen.