In a press release published on July 17, 2018, the non-governmental organization Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) summarized its response to the European Commission’s (EC) consultation on a roadmap for a framework on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the EU (FPF reported). HEAL comments that the EC-proposed framework “lacks the ambition that is necessary to address EDCs in a way that truly contributes to health gains and related economic savings.”
Together with the EDC-free Europe coalition (FPF reported), HEAL warns that “the central element of exposure reduction is simply missing,” although the EDC framework itself is supposed “to minimize exposure of EU citizens [to EDCs] . . . across legislations and sources of exposure.” HEAL reminds that the EC “is legally bound to take action to minimize exposure to EDCs,” as was stated in the 7th Environment Action Programme in 2013 and “highlighted again” in a 2016 decision by the Council of the European Union. Natacha Cingotti, HEAL’s senior policy officer for health and chemicals, said that “we already know enough to take action” and called for “concrete measures to start reducing . . . daily intake of endocrine disruptors now.”
The UK NGO CHEM Trust further criticizes that the EC’s Roadmap “does not specify how current inconsistencies in EDC risk management will be solved, including the fact that EDCs are addressed in some areas of EU chemicals policy but not in others.” CHEM Trust asks that the EC “establish[es] measures with timelines . . . to minimize exposures to EDCs,” specifically “address[es] the problem of combination effects of exposure to mixtures of EDCs from various sources,” and “speed[s] up the identification of EDCs.”
Read more
HEAL (July 17, 2018). “Endocrine disruptors – Put exposure reduction at the centre of EU action now, urge health groups.”
HEAL (July 2018). “HEAL’s response to the EU Commission’s proposed roadmap ‘Toward a more comprehensive framework on endocrine disruptors.’ ” (pdf)
Ninja Reineke (July 18, 2018). “Endocrine Disrupters: The delays continue, as the EU Commission consults on a new EDC framework.” CHEM Trust
References
EP (December 12, 2013). “Decision No 1386/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of our planet.’ ” (pdf)
Council of the European Union (December 19, 2016). “Outcome of proceedings. Protection of human health and the environment through the sound management of chemicals. Council conclusions.” (pdf)
