France has adopted the Brussels definition of endocrine disruptors. Scientists and conservationists are angry.
After being opposed for 4 years in Brussels, France adopted the definition of endocrine disruptors proposed by the European Commission.
These natural or synthetic chemicals are present in certain pesticides, plastics – like the famous bisphenol A -, cosmetics and even cleaning products. They modify the behavior of hormones produced by the body and alter the functions of the endocrine system.
They are suspected of inducing serious pathologies such as obesity, fertility disorders, precocious puberty, cancer.
In June 2016, the European Commission proposed 3 criteria to define an endocrine disruptor in pesticides: the substance must have a proven effect on human health, it must also exhibit an endocrine mode of action and the link between the adverse effect and the mode of action must be known.
Molecules only suspected of belonging to this category could therefore have been marketed.
The absence of the precautionary principle has always been contested by the French authorities. However, this time, the definition established by the Commission includes these suspected endocrine disruptors. “This is an important step forward for health and the environment”, assure the ministries of Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Solidarity and Health as well as that of Agriculture and Food.
NGOs are worried
The fact remains that another provision still included in the draft poses a problem. This is the principle of exemption for pesticides acting on arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans, etc.).
“Scientists specializing in endocrine disruptors have regularly recalled that this exemption is not based on any serious scientific basis because the proximity is great between the endocrine systems of all species”, deplores the association Réseau environnement santé (RES), adding that ‘she would have preferred France to ally with Denmark and Sweden.
“Future generations regrets that France voted for the proposal of criteria for endocrine disruptors made by the European Commission because the criteria now adopted will not make it possible to offer a high level of protection of public health and the environment, abounds François Veillerette, spokesperson for Générations Futures. This is clearly a missed opportunity but all is not lost and today we call on the European Parliament to reject them. “
Nationwide ban
And we have to believe that the French government is not comfortable with this provision either, since it has announced a series of measures to eliminate these substances at the national level. “With regard to the substances concerned by the planned exemption, as soon as concerns are expressed, the government undertakes to use the procedure provided for by European law allowing […] to prohibit the placing on the French market of products containing these substances ”, specify the ministries.
At the same time, measures aimed at increasing transparency on products containing these molecules will be put in place. A website launched in mid-July should, for example, list all phytosanitary products containing at least one endocrine disruptor.
Health agencies will also be required to assess the possibility of implementing labeling indicating the presence of endocrine disruptors in cosmetics, toys and food packaging.
The government also wants to ban bisphenol S, a substitute for bisphenol A, suspected of having teratogenic effects. According to scientific literature, it would affect the development of the fetus as much as its neighboring molecule, which has been banned since 2010.
.
