If you operate a retail store, restaurant, or any business that accepts debit and credit card payments in Canada, you are almost certainly using thermal paper every single day. The receipt that prints from your Moneris, Desjardins, or Verifone terminal is produced by a small roll of heat-sensitive paper — and for decades, most of that paper contained bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical now widely recognized as an endocrine disruptor.
This guide is written for Canadian business owners, office supply purchasers, and POS equipment distributors who want to make an informed switch to safer, BPA-free thermal paper — without sacrificing print quality, compatibility, or cost efficiency.
Why BPA in Thermal Paper Is a Concern in Canada
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as a colour developer in the thermal coating of receipt paper. When heat from a printer head contacts the paper, BPA reacts with a leuco dye to produce the visible black text on your receipt. The problem is that BPA does not stay on the paper — it transfers easily to skin through touch, and studies have shown that handling a single receipt for 15 minutes can measurably raise BPA levels in the body.
Health Canada has classified BPA as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). While federal regulations have focused primarily on BPA in baby bottles and food packaging, the agency has actively encouraged businesses to transition away from BPA-containing thermal paper. The pressure has been significant enough that Canada's largest retailers have already acted: Loblaw Companies Limited committed to phasing out BPA and BPS receipt paper across all its banners (including Loblaws, No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Real Canadian Superstore) by the end of 2021, and Costco Canada made a similar commitment.
For retail workers — cashiers, food service staff, and warehouse employees — who handle hundreds of receipts per shift, the cumulative exposure risk is considerably higher than for the average consumer. This is why unions such as UFCW Canada have actively campaigned for bisphenol-free workplaces.
The regulatory direction in Canada is clear: BPA-containing thermal paper is on its way out. Businesses that proactively switch now avoid future compliance headaches and demonstrate a genuine commitment to worker and customer health.
Understanding the Terminology: BPA-Free vs. BPS-Free vs. Phenol-Free
Before purchasing "BPA-free" thermal paper, it is important to understand what that label actually means — because not all safer alternatives are equally safe.
| Term | What It Means | Safety Level |
|---|---|---|
| BPA-Free | No bisphenol A, but may contain BPS or other phenols | Moderate improvement |
| BPS-Free | No bisphenol S, but may still contain other phenol developers | Moderate improvement |
| BPA & BPS-Free | Neither BPA nor BPS, but other phenol compounds may be present | Better |
| Phenol-Free | No phenol-based developers at all; uses vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or urea-based alternatives | Best available option |
When BPA was first phased out, many manufacturers replaced it with bisphenol S (BPS) — a structurally similar compound that has since been shown to have comparable endocrine-disrupting properties. Purchasing paper labelled only as "BPA-free" may therefore mean you are simply switching from one problematic bisphenol to another.
The gold standard today is phenol-free thermal paper, which uses entirely different chemistry — most commonly a vitamin C (ascorbic acid) based developer or a urea-based compound. These alternatives produce excellent print quality, are stable under normal storage conditions, and carry no known endocrine-disruption risk.
For Canadian businesses looking to align with Health Canada guidance and get ahead of potential future regulation, phenol-free is the recommended choice.
Common POS Terminal Paper Sizes in Canada
One of the most practical questions when switching paper suppliers is: what size do I need? Canadian payment terminals and POS printers use a small number of standard roll sizes. The table below covers the most common configurations.
| Roll Size | Common Terminal / Printer | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 2¼" × 50' (57mm × 15m) | Moneris iWL220, iWL255, iCT250; Verifone Vx820; Ingenico iCT220 | Wireless debit/credit terminals, handheld POS |
| 2¼" × 60' (57mm × 18m) | Moneris v400c; Desjardins terminals; Verifone Vx520 | Countertop payment terminals |
| 3⅛" × 230' (80mm × 70m) | Epson TM-T88 series; Star TSP100; Bixolon SRP-350 | Full-size POS receipt printers, restaurants, retail |
| 3⅛" × 273' (80mm × 83m) | Cash registers, ATMs, gas station kiosks | High-volume retail, fuel stations |
| 2¼" × 30' (57mm × 9m) | Compact wireless terminals | Mobile POS, pop-up retail |
The 2¼" × 50' and 2¼" × 60' coreless rolls are by far the most common sizes for Canadian debit and credit card terminals. Most Moneris-compatible rolls fall into this category. The 3⅛" × 230' is the standard for full-size receipt printers used in restaurants and larger retail environments.
Tip: Always check your terminal's user manual or the existing roll's dimensions before ordering. The width (2¼" or 3⅛") is the critical measurement; roll length affects how frequently you need to change rolls, not printer compatibility.
How to Verify That Thermal Paper Is Genuinely BPA-Free
With many suppliers making "BPA-free" claims, it is worth knowing how to verify those claims before committing to a bulk purchase.
1. Request a Third-Party Test Certificate
Reputable manufacturers can provide laboratory test reports from accredited third-party testing bodies (such as SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) confirming the absence of BPA, BPS, and other phenol compounds. Ask for the most recent test report — ideally dated within the past 12 months — and check that the tested product matches the specific grade you are purchasing.
2. Look for Recognised Certifications
While there is no single Canadian certification specifically for BPA-free thermal paper, the following international marks are widely accepted:
- FDA Compliance (21 CFR) — confirms the paper meets US Food and Drug Administration standards for food-contact materials, which is a strong proxy for BPA-free status.
- EU REACH Compliance — the European Union's REACH regulation restricts BPA in thermal paper to 0.02% by weight (effective January 2020). Paper certified as REACH-compliant is effectively BPA-free.
- California Proposition 65 Compliant — California's strict chemical disclosure law means Prop 65-compliant paper has been tested for BPA and other listed chemicals.
3. The Heat Test (Quick Field Check)
A simple but imperfect field test: apply heat to the paper (using a lighter held briefly near — not touching — the surface, or a hot object). BPA-containing paper typically turns solid black. Genuinely BPA-free paper using phenol-free chemistry often turns a slightly different shade (greenish-black or grey-black). This test is not definitive, but it can help identify obvious mismatches when you receive a new batch.
4. Inspect the Packaging
Legitimate BPA-free paper will have clear labelling on the box or roll wrapper. Look for explicit statements such as "BPA-Free," "BPS-Free," "Phenol-Free," or "No Bisphenols." Be cautious of vague claims like "eco-friendly" or "green" that do not specifically address bisphenol content.
What to Look for When Sourcing from a Manufacturer
If you are a distributor, office supply retailer, or large-volume buyer sourcing thermal paper directly from a manufacturer — particularly from China, which supplies the majority of the world's thermal paper — the following checklist will help you qualify suppliers effectively.
Factory Credentials
A credible thermal paper manufacturer should be able to provide ISO 9001 quality management certification, and ideally ISO 14001 environmental management certification. Ask whether the factory conducts in-house chemical testing or relies solely on third-party labs.
Product Transparency
Ask for the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the thermal coating. A manufacturer that is genuinely using BPA-free chemistry will have no hesitation in sharing this document. The SDS should identify the colour developer used — common safe alternatives include Pergafast 201, D-8 (Disperse Blue 8), or vitamin C-based (ascorbic acid) developers.
Sample Testing Before Bulk Orders
Always request samples before placing a bulk order, and have those samples independently tested if you are supplying to healthcare, food service, or government clients in Canada where chemical compliance is particularly important. The cost of a single lab test is negligible compared to the liability risk of distributing non-compliant paper.
Export Documentation
For Canadian importers, ensure the manufacturer can provide a Certificate of Origin, a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS), and any applicable test reports in a format accepted by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Since June 2025, the CBSA has initiated anti-dumping investigations on thermal paper imports, making proper documentation even more important.
ZhixinPaper's BPA-Free Thermal Paper for the Canadian Market
At ZhixinPaper, we have been manufacturing thermal paper rolls since 2009 and export to distributors and POS supply companies across Canada. Our BPA-free and phenol-free thermal paper rolls are certified BPA-free and BPS-free, with third-party test reports available upon request. We offer all standard Canadian sizes — 2¼" × 50', 2¼" × 60', 3⅛" × 230', and custom dimensions — and our rolls are compatible with all major Canadian payment terminals, including Moneris, Desjardins, Verifone, and Ingenico models.
Our manufacturing operates under ISO 9001 quality management with full-process quality control from raw material to finished roll. We provide complete export documentation including SDS, Certificate of Origin, and third-party test certificates, and offer flexible MOQ for both trial orders and ongoing bulk supply contracts.
Summary: A Practical Checklist for Canadian Buyers
Before placing your next thermal paper order, run through this checklist: confirm the roll size matches your terminal or printer (width is the critical dimension); ask for BPA-free certification — and ideally phenol-free certification — with a third-party test report; check for FDA, EU REACH, or California Prop 65 compliance as a proxy for verified BPA-free status; request an SDS identifying the thermal developer used; order a sample batch before committing to bulk quantities; and verify the supplier's export documentation capability if importing directly.
Switching to BPA-free thermal paper is a straightforward change that protects your employees, aligns with Health Canada guidance, and positions your business ahead of likely future regulation. The cost difference between BPA-containing and BPA-free paper has narrowed significantly as phenol-free chemistry has become mainstream — making this one of the easiest sustainability upgrades available to any Canadian business.
ZhixinPaper is a China-based thermal paper and label manufacturer supplying distributors and POS equipment companies in Canada, the United States, and India. For samples, specifications, or bulk pricing, contact our sales team [blocked].
