In an article published on November 24, 2016 by regulatory news provider Chemical Watch, editor Luke Buxton informs that there was no voting on the revised criteria for identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) taking place during the November 18, 2016 meetings (FPF reported) of the European Commission’s (EC) Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) and of competent authorities for biocides. This was because a “significant number” of Member States (MS) delegations “still had no formal position because of ongoing discussions at national level” (FPF reported). An EC spokesperson informed that during these two meetings, “the Commission had the opportunity to explain the changes to the texts,” and its efforts towards addressing MS’ concerns were acknowledged by the delegations. The dates of the next meetings of the pesticide and biocide committees are not yet known.

On November 29, 2016 the revised EDC criteria will be discussed in a meeting between the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety’s (DG SANTE) deputy director-general, Ladislav Miko, and the Environment Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament (EP). ENVI’s chair, Giovanni La Via, said that one of ENVI’s concerns is that “the draft [EDC criteria] regulation ‘exceeds the Commission’s implementing powers’ in amending Annex II of the plant protection products (PPP) regulation,” as it proposes a shift from hazard- to risk-based derogations, which could “only be undertaken through legislative procedure.” However, the EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis objected saying that the EC is allowed to “amend . . . ‘non-essential’ elements.”

There will now be a three-month scrutiny period by the EP, likely followed by a plenary where the EP will vote. The EDC criteria cannot enter into force if more than half of the EP’s members vote against them.

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Luke Buxton (November 24, 2016). “Member states ‘not ready’ to vote on revised EDC criteria.Chemical Watch

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