The new EDC-Free Europe policy paper “Key recommendations for a reformed European regulatory framework on endocrine disrupting chemicals", launched today, aims to contribute to an effective reform of the EU legislative framework in order to protect people and the environment against endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

EU measures to strengthen protection against endocrine disrupting chemicals are long overdue, leaving people exposed to these chemicals in every part of their daily life.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals – also known as hormone disruptors – are synthetic chemicals that disrupt the functioning of our natural hormone system. They can lead to many different adverse health effects, including reproductive disorders, development dysfunction, behavioural disorders, thyroid problems, low birth weight, diabetes and obesity, asthma, and breast and prostate cancers.

But avoiding EDCs is no longer a choice that a person can make. Endocrine disruptors are found everywhere in our daily lives: from bisphenols used in certain plastic bottles, to phthalates in toys and flame retardants used in sofas.

Our recommendations cover three key areas that need steady improvement, for the EU to truly live up to its commitments towards zero pollution ambition and a high level of health and environment protection:

  1. The identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  2. The management and control of endocrine disrupting chemicals  
  3. Transition measures to be taken to ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, without further delay

Together with the 70 members of the EDC-Free Europe campaign, we demand the European Commission puts the protection of people and the environment first when reforming the EU regulatory framework on endocrine disrupting chemicals. 

Our paper builds on our eight demands for an European EDC strategy published in May 2018. For more information about how Europe can go EDC-Free, visit our website.