Hormone-disrupting chemicals: when will the EU act against these everyday toxicants?

Hormone-disrupting chemicals or EDCs for short have been linked to severe human health problems, including infertility, genital malformations, early puberty, obesity, cancer and neuro-behavioural disorders.

Consumers may encounter these harmful chemicals in many commonly-used products. Examples include skin creams containing propylparaben, phthalates in toys and textiles, furniture with brominated flame retardants, and bisphenol A used in everything from plastic flooring and paper receipts to food containers.

In theory, EDCs are regulated by several EU laws. In practice, however, implementation of these laws falls short as the EU lacks concrete criteria that define what an ‘endocrine disruptor’ is. Moreover, current risk evaluation methods largely overlook a chemical’s possible endocrine disrupting properties. As a result, EDCs escape control despite the urgent need to reduce consumer exposure.

Recommendations include to: 

1. Adopt scientific EDC criteria applicable to all relevant EU laws.
2. Reject the Commission's proposal on endocrine disruptors criteria.
3. Apply a precautionary approach in all relevant legislation.
4. Place the burden of proof on the economic operator, not the public.
5. Make the presence of EDCs in consumer products more visible.
6. Update risk assessment and risk management methods.
7. Increase funding for research to address knowledge gaps.