Endocrine disruption

Background

The endocrine system is what is commonly known as the hormonal system. It is made up of different glands that secrete hormones. Hormones regulate physiology and behaviour in a human body, in a very complex way. This system is naturally prepared to adapt to hormonal stimulations.

Some substances can cause an adverse effect on health and environment by interfering, at certain doses, with the endocrine system of humans or other organisms. Such substances are called endocrine disruptors.

Today the EU is recognised as having one of the most stringent and advanced legislations on endocrine disruptors in the world. Endocrine disruptors in chemical products are regulated in the EU through a number of legal instruments such as REACH (Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation and Assessment of Chemicals), Plant Protection Product Regulation ((EC) No 1107/2009 and Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/605), Biocidal Product Regulation ((EU) No 528/2012, and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2100) ) and Cosmetics Products Regulation ((EC) No 1223/2009). The purpose of these legislative acts is to ensure that the use of substances identified as endocrine disruptors in chemical products is assessed and then restricted or banned.

Towards coherent and science-based EU-wide approach

Cefic is committed to ensuring that people and the environment are protected from  harmful exposure to chemicals. Therefore, it is important that endocrine disruptors are properly regulated.

Exposure to substances which interact with the endocrine system does not mean that there will automatically be an adverse effect on human health or the environment. An assessment of whether any given substance is an endocrine disruptor should always be based on a weight of evidence approach, considering quality and consistency of scientific data. Where there is an adverse effect in an intact mechanism and this adverse effect has a causal relationship with exposure to a chemical having endocrine activity, action should be taken.

In 2017 and 2018 the European Commission officially adopted criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in biocides and plant protection products respectively. These criteria are based on the definition of endocrine disruptors endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The European chemical industry supports the criteria and the WHO definition.

In November 2018 the European Commission published a Communication outlining the actions that will lead to a more comprehensive EU framework for Endocrine Disruptors. One of the conclusions of the Communication is for the European Commission to conduct a Fitness Check on the performance of the existing legislation to make sure that the EU measures to tackle endocrine disruptors in various products or sectors are coherent, consistent and science-based.  Cefic supports this approach and will contribute to the upcoming Fitness Check.