On June 8, 2016 the news provider Environmental Health News published English translations of three articles by journalist Stéphane Horel, originally published on May 20, 2016 in the French newspaper Le Monde (FPF reported about the first article in this series). In the second article, Horel reports on seven scientists who met with the European Commissioner for Health, Vytenis Andriukaitis, in early May 2016 to advise him on the criteria to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the EU. The scientists apparently emphasized “the importance of potency and human exposure” and questioned the potential effects of EDCs on human health. Further, they asserted a lack of “robust scientific evidence base” and mentioned “the competitiveness of the European economy.” Horel shows that the scientists all have ties to the chemical industry.
The third article is an interview with the French Foreign Minister Ségolène Royal on the European Commission’s (EC) socio-economic impact assessment (IA) on criteria to identify EDCs. She calls for disclosure of the IA document and expresses concern about the power of industry lobbyists in non-transparent decision-making that affects public health. Further, Royal announced that France, together with Sweden, will take legal action against the EC if the EDC criteria are not consistent with the scientific consensus that potency considerations should not be included.
On June 6, 2016 the European Parliament’s (EP) main political groups (with the exception of ECR) adopted a Joint Motion for a Resolution on EDCs. In their resolution, the politicians call on “the Commission to comply immediately with its obligations” and to “adopt immediately hazard-based scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties.”
Read more
Stéphane Horel (June 8, 2016). “Endocrine disruptors: Brussels’ industry-linked scientists sow doubt.”
Stéphane Horel (June 8, 2016). “Chemical pollutants: French environment minister calls for disclosure.”
EP (June 6, 2016). “Joint motion for a resolution on endocrine disruptors: State of play following the judgment of the General Court of the European Union of 16 December 2015.” (pdf)
