【消費觀點】再論SIGG的雙酚A事件

昨天我們在部落格上，公開討論一則早被許多外文媒體吵得沸沸揚揚的重要消費新聞，也就是世界知名的鋁鎂合金水壺SIGG，在數日前該公司總裁以親筆信方式，首度公開證實該公司在2008年8月前所生產的水壺，確實使用雙酚A(BPA)作為水壺內襯塗料的成份之一。

在一天過後，該公司台灣代理商的公關"大偉先生"到本站留言指正，為求謹慎與負責，我們特別再次查核相關原文資料，發現該總裁的這封公開信，已被SIGG官網正式移除。我們決定以原來引述的資料來源，以及總裁親筆信的關鍵內容予以回應，然而十分遺憾的是，大偉先生以強烈的指責與批評(甚至是威嚇)，以及不肯真實面對問題的態度，實在讓我們見識到這家廠商面對消費者回應的強勢與傲慢！

其實SIGG這個事件，始末十分簡單，就是該公司總裁公開證實了2008年8月前所生產的水壺，確實有使用BPA成分的內襯塗料。至於為何該總裁會發表此公開信，而後又在官網被移除，我們不得而知相關內幕，但該公司之前對外公開證實2008年8月前所生產的水壺含有BPA成分的事實，也是作為SIGG消費者有權利知道的真相。

至於大偉先生所說，該公司總裁在公開信中提到，他們家水壺含不含有BPA，都是一樣安全，且經過諸多安全測試，所以是不溶出BPA的，這部分我們絕對予以尊重。但作為一個綠色消費者，我們關切的恐怕不只是BPA的安全問題，更是一個負責任的廠商，面對消費者所應該展現的誠信態度！！！

雖然SIGG官網移除了原先發表的CEO公開信，我們還是藉由Google快取存檔了這封信。





寫了一大堆，重點只有這一句：
SIGG bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 have the former water-based epoxy liner which contains trace amounts of BPA.
SIGG在2008年8月之前生產的水壺使用含有雙酚A(BPA)的塗料。

A Letter From Our CEO August 2009

Dear SIGG Customer,

(STAMFORD CT) – Within the scientific community, the safety of the packaging ingredient bisphenol A (BPA) remains the subject of considerable debate and controversy as evidenced by the FDA meetings on the topic this month. For decades, BPA has been the industry standard for protective coatings – approved by food and health regulators around the world. One year ago, Andrew von Eschenbach, the Commissioner of the FDA, announced that, “The science we have reviewed does not justify recommending that anyone discontinue using products containing BPA.” At that time, SIGG Switzerland, the world leader in premium reusable bottles, had already made the transition into bottles that are BPA free.

Within the reusable bottle water category, polycarbonate plastic bottles (#7) came under scrutiny in early 2008 because they were found to leach BPA. As a result, many consumers turned to metal bottles (aluminum and stainless steel) because these bottles had no issues with BPA migration. Prior to its transition, SIGG utilized a water-based epoxy liner which contained a trace amount of BPA. The bottles were thoroughly and regularly tested in both the USA and Switzerland and all tests revealed absolutely no migration or leaching of BPA or any other substance from the protective inner liner. These tests have been public information on the SIGG website for several years and remain there today.

Despite the fact that these bottles were manufactured well within strict international regulations and posed no health risk, my team and I initiated a project in June 2006 to develop a new liner which would be both BPA free and produced in a more environmentally friendly manner. We recognized early that there were questions surrounding BPA and we wanted to be sure that we had a bottle liner that you, our customers, could have absolute confidence in.

After two years of comprehensive testing and development and a one million dollar investment in new equipment for our Swiss factory, SIGG began producing bottles with our new, next generation “EcoCare” liner in August 2008. Providing the same quality and protection afforded by the previous liner, this new powder-based, co-polyester coating has been thoroughly tested and is certified to be 100% free of BPA, phthalates, BADGE, BFDGE, and NOGE. It is also environmentally friendly as its application generates virtually no waste and utilizes no organic solvents or VOCs. Our new bottle liner is not only a technological advance; it’s a major step forward in SIGG’s journey towards sustainability.

To be clear, all SIGG bottles made since August 2008 contain our new BPA free EcoCare liner. SIGG bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 have the former water-based epoxy liner which contains trace amounts of BPA. These bottles have been thoroughly tested and showed 0% leaching of BPA. It is easy to determine which liner you have, as they are of 2 distinctly different colors. Visit www.MySIGG.com/liner to see photos comparing the two.

The primary reason that I am writing this letter today is because I believe that the BPA conversation has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. Last year, the primary concern was that of BPA leaching from bottles. Since that time the dialogue has evolved such that now some people are concerned about the mere presence of BPA and some states are considering legislation.

I am proud to say that SIGG took action quickly back in 2006 to begin the development of a high performance bottle liner that is BPA free. In addition, we have developed this special section on our website that we will be updating regularly where you can find independent laboratory testing on SIGG and other bottle brands as well as an update on the BPA situation as it continues to develop. We want our current and potential customers to have the facts.

SIGG is a Swiss company that has earned a reputation for quality over the last 100 years. Our success has been a result of ensuring that SIGG customers are always and completely satisfied with our products and our service. If you have further questions or comments please feel free to email me directly at:

Sincerely,

Steve

Steve Wasik
CEO, SIGG Switzerland

後記：SIGG官網的BPA公開信將原有網頁移除數天後又恢復了。

SIGG的BPA事件回顧：


加拿大sigg水壺有害 http://www.ntdtv.com/xtr/b5/2009/09/04/a341521.html

SIGG時尚"環保"水壺，證實含有雙酚A(BPA)成分

SIGG的BPA事件後續發展：
SIGG總裁公開道歉，並宣布含有BPA水壺的交換計畫

SIGG總裁再度道歉，Patagonia正式宣告終止與SIGG的合作