Commission proposals on identifying endocrine disruptors

Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the functioning of hormones, with potentially harmful effects on health. Defining scientific criteria for their identification is highly complex and has important repercussions. There are gaps in scientific understanding as well as diverging regulatory views.

The European Commission's delay in adopting scientific criteria has provoked strong reactions. In a judgment delivered on 16 December 2015, the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union found that the Commission had breached EU law by failing to act on endocrine disruptors.

The Commission proposed in June 2016 the long-awaited criteria, and has presented the draft legal acts required for their implementation. However, stakeholders on all sides of the debate are critical of the proposal. Members of the European Parliament are divided on the issue. The proposed delegated act and implementing act will now have to be approved, according to procedures subject to scrutiny in Parliament and Council.

ESO: Background information: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on endocrine disruptors and the draft Commission acts setting out scientific criteria for their determination in the context of the EU legislation on plant protection products and biocidal products http://www.europeansources.info/record/communication-on-endocrine-disruptors-and-the-draft-commission-acts-setting-out-scientific-criteria-for-their-determination-in-the-context-of-the-eu-legislation-on-plant-protection-products-and-biocid/

ESO: Background information: Judgment in Case T-521/14 Sweden v Commission http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-judgment-in-case-t-521-14-sweden-v-commission/

EurActiv, 05.08.16: EU criteria on endocrine disruptors insufficient, warns chemical industry http://www.euractiv.com/section/science-policymaking/news/eu-chemical-industry-proposed-criteria-on-endocrine-disruptors-not-sufficient/

EurActiv, 09.08.16: Water industry: Light criteria on endocrine disruptors benefit polluters http://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/water-industry-light-criteria-on-endocrine-disruptors-beneficial-for-polluters/

EurActiv: Topic: Endocrine disruptors http://www.euractiv.com/topics/endocrine-disruptors/

EurActiv, 22.12.16: EU member states still divided over endocrine disruptor regulation http://www.euractiv.com/section/health-consumers/news/eu-member-states-still-divided-over-endocrine-disruptor-regulation/

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