In the upcoming EU mandate 2024-2029 it is of utmost importance to address the harm that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose on the health of humans and wildlife. The EDC-Free Europe Coalition held a high-level briefing for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on 6 November 2024, presenting policy recommendations to address the health challenges posed by EDCs.
The event, co-hosted by MEP Martin Hojsik from the Renew Group, featured speakers including MEP Alessandra Moretti from the S&D Group, Génon Jensen, Executive Director of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), and Professor Majorie van Duursen from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The discussion centered on how and why European policies should address EDCs. During the event the EDC-Free Europe coalition shared their new recommendations: ‘7 priorities to protect people and environment from harm caused by endocrine-disrupting chemicals’.
Génon Jensen Executive Director of HEAL opened the event with a reminder of the spread of exposure: “Human biomonitoring conducted in Europe shows that we all are exposed to a cocktail of chemicals, including EDCs, which can have negative effects on our health even at low doses. It is hard to avoid exposure to EDCs individually, which is why it is important to have effective EU regulations.”
The need to transition away from the use of EDCs is urgent as they place a substantial health and economic burden on Europe. EDCs disrupt vital hormone function, and are linked to various types of cancer, diabetes, developmental disorders, and reproductive health issues. Health-related costs from known EDCs are estimated to be at least €163 billion annually as of 2016.
“Research conducted in the FREIA project, which focuses on female reproductive health, has shown that many reproductive diseases affecting women originate from exposures incurred in the womb. For example, endocrine-disrupting chemicals cause hormonal changes in the ovary that may lead to fewer eggs at birth—an impact that can affect fertility later in life. We are still learning about the negative health impacts of EDCs on women’s health, but our scientific understanding has advanced significantly over recent decades and continues to grow.” Majorie van Duursen, Professor of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and FREIA project coordinator stated.
The EDC-Free Europe coalition acknowledges progress has been made under the EU’s 2020 Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which led to the adoption of new hazard classes for EDCs. However, gaps remain in the strategy’s implementation. Regulatory frameworks like REACH still lack requirements for identifying EDCs and adequate control measures. Additionally, urgent action is required to phase out pesticides with endocrine disrupting properties. The coalition urges EU leaders to strengthen these policies to meet public demand for safer practices and protect health across generations.
"Maintaining a health-protective stance which phases out bisphenols and PFAS in the trilogues on the revision of the EU Toy Safety legislation is crucial to begin addressing the health risks to children posed by harmful chemicals. In our product testing of children’s toys and water bottles, alongside discovering harmful chemicals that are not yet regulated, we also identified chemicals that are already prohibited in the EU—found in both imported products and those manufactured within the EU." Annelies den Boer, Director of Erase all Toxins (Tegengif) reminded of the need to protect children.
“Women are affected differently by harmful chemicals due to biological factors and specific exposure routes, such as through cosmetics and menstrual health. During pregnancy, women can also transfer a 'chemical cocktail' to future generations. Policies need to reflect the specific health risks faced by women. The European Parliament has an essential role in ensuring that commitments like the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan remain central to discussions, especially as breast cancer rates are rising—particularly among younger women.” Johanna Haussmann Programmes Coordinator - Chemicals & Health at Women Engage for a Common Future urged.
The EDC-Free coalition recommends the EU to strengthen its policies by including faster identification and stricter regulation of known and suspected EDCs, phasing out EDCs in consumer products, pesticides, and biocides, and banning the export of restricted or banned EDCs. The coalition also calls for improved public awareness, transparency, and traceability of harmful chemicals to advance the EU toward a non-toxic, circular economy.
“We need strong preventative EU health policies against environmental health risks, such as EDCs, and much stricter and more streamlined regulatory oversight of harmful substances. This is essential for cancer prevention under the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan.” Alessandra Moretti, MEP, S&D said.
“It is crucial to raise awareness about the health impacts of hazardous chemicals; public pressure is essential to drive policy action. People are deeply concerned that children are being born with hazardous chemicals in their bodies and that fertility is being affected across Europe.
How the ‘one substance, one assessment’ will be implemented in the revised REACH regulation will be crucial for effectively addressing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We need to assess chemicals in groups based on similar properties to avoid regrettable substitution—such as moving from Bisphenol A to Bisphenol B to Bisphenol C—which is not only harmful to health but also creates additional burdens for those involved in the assessment process.” Martin Hojsik, MEP, Renew Group stated.
Additionally, the coalition emphasises the need for enhanced scientific research on EDCs' health impacts, greater EU leadership in international chemical governance, and stronger legal accountability for companies distributing products containing EDCs.
"We need to accelerate the identification of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and establish comprehensive control measures across all relevant regulations. We expect the EU to uphold its commitments made under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Ultimately, regulations must be created and updated with people’s health as the priority." Andreea Botoş, EDC-Free Europe Campaign Coordinator said.
To this end the EDC-Free Europe coalition urges EU leaders to adopt their recommendations: 7 Priorities to protect people and the environment from endocrine-disrupting chemicals (full statement / short version)
