The European Commission has been called to order by the 28 environment ministers of the European Union (28). It is invited to respect its commitments vis-à-vis endocrine disruptors. This wake-up call comes when the European institution has not given an official definition of endocrine disruptors when it was supposed to do so before the end of 2013.
Endocrine disruptors are “chemicals of natural or artificial origin that can interfere with the functioning of the endocrine glands, the organs responsible for secreting hormones”, according to the National Agency for Health Security, Food, environment and work (ANSES).
Those endocrine disruptors among which it is possible to cite phthalates, parabens and bisphenol A, are accused of toxicity for reproduction, fertility or fetal development. The metabolic disorders linked to these substances would promote certain pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, asthma, heart disease or obesity.
A clear definition by the summer
Until now, a legislative vagueness reigns at the level of the European Union around endocrine disruptors. These are not framed by any common definition or criteria that would be shared by all EU countries.
The European Commission therefore promises to catch up and present before the summer the list of criteria to regulate endocrine disruptors. As for the evaluation of carcinogenic products, these substances could be classified according to three criteria: proven, probable or possible.
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