Communication: Towards a comprehensive European Union framework on endocrine disruptors

Summary:

On 7 November 2018 the European Commission presented a Communication regarding the European Union's policy on endocrine disruptors.

Further information:

Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances that alter the functioning of the endocrine system and negatively affect the health of humans and animals. They may either be of synthetic or natural origin. Exposure to endocrine disruptors can occur from different sources, such as residues of pesticides or consumer products used or present in our daily life.

Concerns about endocrine disruptors have been growing since the 1990s. Following the adoption by the European Parliament of a Resolution on endocrine disruptors in 1998, in December 1999 the Commission adopted the Community Strategy for endocrine disruptors, which has been taken forward since then through action in the fields of research, regulation and international cooperation.

The Commission has always been and will remain committed to protect EU citizens and the environment from all hazardous chemicals. In this context, almost twenty years after the adoption of the Community Strategy, there is a need to update the EU approach on endocrine disruptors so that it remains state-of-the-art and continues to coherently address these substances across different areas, building on the increased knowledge, the achieved results and gained experience.

To this end, the Commission is outlining its strategic approach to endocrine disruptors for the years to come, with the ultimate overall goal to ensure a high level of protection of EU citizens and the environment and, at the same time, to preserve an internal market which delivers for consumers and where all EU business can thrive.