The European Commission has today presented criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in agricultural products.
The Commission proposes to adopt a strong science-based approach to the identification of endocrine disruptors and to endorse the WHO definition.
Endocrine disruptors are substances, both natural and chemical, that can alter the functions of the hormonal system and consequently cause adverse effects on people or animals.
Today, the European Commission presents two draft legal acts with scientific criteria that will allow for a more accurate identification of chemical substances which are endocrine disruptors, in the plant protection products and biocides areas.
Today's package includes:
• A Communication providing an overview of the scientific and regulatory context;
• an Impact Assessment Report which presents the state of science regarding different criteria to identify endocrine disruptors, and provides information on possible consequences;
• and two draft legal acts – one under the Biocidal Products legislation, the other under the Plant Protection Products legislation – which set the criteria to identify endocrine disruptors.
The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said: "Endocrine disruptors can have serious health and environmental impacts and even if many substances containing them are already banned as a result of existing legislation on pesticides and biocides, we have to remain vigilant.
"The Commission is committed to ensuring the highest level of protection of both human health and the environment, which is why we are today putting forward strict criteria for endocrine disrupters – based on science – making the EU regulatory system the first worldwide to define such scientific criteria in legislation."
Minimising exposure
The Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness Jyrki Katainen declared: "The scientific criteria for endocrine disruptors presented today will contribute to the objectives of minimising exposure to endocrine disruptors and to bringing legal certainty.
"Today’s Communication outlines the issues we have considered in this process, it defines the scope of what is relevant to determining the scientific criteria.
"And it sets out the implications of setting these criteria – for the two pieces of legislation directly concerned and for other parts of the EU regulatory framework and actions."
Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, said: "The scientific criteria that the Commission is presenting today guarantee that the high level of protection of human health and of the environment set in our legislation on plant protection and biocidal products is maintained.
"The plant protection products and biocides' legislation are among the strictest in the world because of their prior approval system, their extensive data requirements, and their hazard approach for decision making.
The scientific criteria endorsed by the Commission today are based on the World Health Organisation's (WHO) definition of an endocrine disruptor, for which there is a wide consensus.
The WHO defines a substance as an endocrine disruptor if:
• it has an adverse effect on human health;
• it has an endocrine mode of action;
• and if there is a causal link between the adverse effect and the mode of action.
Product losses would have 'significant consequences'
The CLA - which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses - said the Commission must identify the potential risk of plant protection products by using a proportionate and clear science-led approach.
CLA President Ross Murray said: "The use of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides are a vital tool to help farmers keep putting healthy and nutritious food on our tables.
"If added to the endocrine disruptor classification list the losses would have significant consequences for agriculture and land management.
"This decision must not get bogged down in a debate about who can shout loudest but must rely on a sensible scientific approach.
"The Council and the European Parliament must now take a proportionate view and base their decision using risk assessment.
"Without understanding the difference between risk and hazard properly, substances which pose little threat to human health or the environment such as salt and caffeine could be deemed to have endocrine disrupting properties and become needlessly banned.
"The potential loss of essential plant protection products could significantly reduce the ability of landowners and farmers to control pests, fungi and diseases without any additional benefits to the environment."
What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals?
Endocrine-disrupting chemical substances are substances that alter the functions of the hormonal system and consequently cause adverse effects to human health.
As scientific awareness of endocrine disruptors grew, the Commission responded with a "Strategy for endocrine disruptors" in 1999.
Under EU legislation on chemicals endocrine disruption is often considered specifically (Plant Protection Products, Biocidal Products, REACH, water quality legislation), or addressed through general risk assessment methodology, thus insuring a high level of protection for consumers and the environment.
Many chemicals used in plant protection products or biocidal products have already been banned because of their adverse effects.
This testifies to the EU's commitment to protect citizens from risks resulting from unsafe chemical substances.
