The European Union ban on the manufacture of baby bottles containing bisphenol A (BPA) begins this month.

In a news release, John Dalli, commissioner in charge of Health and Policy, said, “March 1 represents a landmark in our efforts to protect better the health of EU citizens, in particular when it comes to our children, following the precautionary principle.”

The move came after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in September, 2010, that small amounts of BPA are safe, but acknowledged questions about the possible effect of BPA on infants, and said that aspect requires further attention until better data is available.

“Due to the fact that there are uncertainties concerning the harmfulness of the exposure of infants to Bisphenol A, the Commission deemed it both necessary and appropriate to take action,” Dalli said. “The aim is to further reduce the exposure of the most vulnerable part of our population — i.e. the infants — to the substance, thus safeguarding their health.”

By June 1, it will be illegal to sell baby bottles with BPA within the EU, although manufacturers have announced they have already begun voluntarily withdrawing BPA baby bottles from the market.