endocrine-disruptors-criteria

CIEL criticizes the European Commission's June 15th draft criteria for identifying endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in Plant Protection Products and Biocidal Products Regulations, arguing the proposals fail to provide mandated protections for human health and the environment.

• The European Commission's draft criteria for identifying endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are criticized for being over two years overdue and failing to provide a high level of protection. CIEL identifies several critical flaws: the exclusion of presumed and suspected EDCs, the limitation of scientific evidence considered, a shift from 'negligible exposure' to 'negligible risk' in the Plant Protection Products Regulation, and a general failure to follow the precautionary principle.
• CIEL argues that the current proposal's high burden of proof—defining EDCs only as substances 'known to' cause adverse effects—would exclude hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals. CIEL recommends that the EU instead include 'presumed' and 'suspected' EDCs, mirroring the approach used for carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR) chemicals.
• Industry groups and the US government are cited as factors contributing to the delay in EDC regulation. US industry groups CropLife and ECPA estimated a loss of $4 billion in profits if hazard-based criteria were adopted, and a 2015 US government report suggested such regulations would conflict with the goals of the TTIP agreement.
• Endocrine disrupting chemicals are described as a 'global threat' by the WHO and UNEP. These chemicals, found in items such as soap, cosmetics, and food packaging, can mimic or block hormones and are linked to health issues including birth defects, infertility, breast cancer, and developmental issues. In Europe, health complications from EDC exposure are estimated to cost over €150 billion annually.

APA

Alfonso, A. (2016). endocrine-disruptors-criteria. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/endocrine-disruptors-criteria/

Chicago

Alfonso, Alyssa. endocrine-disruptors-criteria. Center for International Environmental Law, 2016. https://www.ciel.org/endocrine-disruptors-criteria/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Alfonso |first1=Alyssa |title=endocrine-disruptors-criteria |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=22 July 2016 |url=https://www.ciel.org/endocrine-disruptors-criteria/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{alfonso2016endocrinedisruptorscriteria, author = {Alfonso, Alyssa}, title = {{endocrine-disruptors-criteria}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2016}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ciel.org/endocrine-disruptors-criteria/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }