Unified System to Identify Hormone Disruptors

The European Commission has proposed draft criteria to identify endocrine disruptors. However, only for substances contained in pesticides and biocides, although endocrine disruptors lurk in a wide variety of other products. They contaminate the water we drink, the toys our children play with, and the soaps and cleaners we use on a daily basis.

A single, unified system to identify hormone-harming chemicals is the best way to keep endocrine disrupting chemicals out of our food, water, toys, and household products is the conclusion of a report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and ClientEarth, and supported by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from five parties.

The analysis by CIEL and ClientEarth concludes that the Commission’s draft criteria to identify endocrine disruptors must be redesigned to more fully identify these harmful substances across sectors and ensure protection under EU law. This includes creating horizontal criteria that spans the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the Cosmetics Regulation, the Water Framework Directive, the Toys Directive, the Medical Devices Regulations, and the Food Contact Materials Regulation.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the natural hormones in our bodies. They are very likely to be contributing to serious health disorders such as cancers, fertility problems, obesity, and other serious health disorders. Nearly everyone is exposed to endocrine disruptors, as they may be found in pesticide residues in our food, in cosmetic products, in clothes, cleaning products, and in many plastics. They are conservatively estimated to cost Europeans more than €160 billion each year in additional health expenses.