Endocrine disruptors, kézako? The European Commission dries up on the issue. She still has not returned her copy of their definition to the point of arousing the annoyance of the scientific community. In an article that appeared in the journal Environmental Helath and Perspectives journal, seven researchers urge the European Commission to take a decision once and for all.
Defining endocrine disruptors is not that complicated, say the seven international scientists. The World Health Organization (WHO) already did this in 2002. According to the WHO, it is “an exogenous substance or mixture, possessing properties capable of inducing endocrine disruption in an organism. intact, in its descendants or within (sub) – populations “. These substances “modify the function (s) of the hormonal system” with […] as a result, harmful effects on health, or descendants of individuals, populations or population subgroups “.
This definition has won the support of the scientific community, which proposes a classification into three categories: endocrine disruptors (ED), suspected EDs and endocrinologically active substances (the harmful nature of which has not been proven).
A definition this summer?
Problem, on the side of the European Commission, we are unable to comment on a clear and precise qualification of endocrine disruptors. A vagueness that is enough to hamper the regulation of products containing these substances (plastics, certain food products, pesticides or even cosmetics), criticize international scientists, some of whom see pressure from lobbies.
The problem should eventually be resolved, since the Commission should put an end to its hesitation and provide a clear framework by the summer. It would be high time because this legal obligation had to be fulfilled before the end of 2013. The institution was raised the straps in December 2015 by the European Court of Justice for this delay. Last March, the 28 environment ministers of the European Union even called on Brussels.
Also read: Endocrine disruptors: where are they and where are they hiding?
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