Today Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament welcomed the much-awaited criteria to identify endocrine disruptors*: one legislative measure under the Biocidal Products legislation and the other under the Plant Protection Products.
However, they still insist on the introduction of sub-categories beyond those presented today, and also that the criteria are horizontally applied to all sectors and products and fit for the various laws that address endocrine disrupters.
S&D spokesperson on public health Matthias Groote said:
“Our main duty is to ensure the highest level of health protection for all European citizens. Our aim is to reduce the influence of these substances on the human body to a minimum as quickly as possible. We welcome that the European Commission followed our demands and finally presented something. Now we can resume our work.
“These substances can alter the functions of the hormonal system and consequently cause adverse effects on people or animals. This is why we need to specify scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties of active substance and biocides products."
Pavel Poc MEP, who is S&D spokesperson on endocrine disruptors, said:
“The two proposals from the European Commission are addressing biocides and pesticides only. This is not enough. We need to ensure protection of consumers and especially vulnerable groups such as children from endocrine disrupting chemicals in cosmetics and other daily use products including for example softened plastics.
“If Juncker’s team continues to ignore the reality and the law, I would object to their proposals. Any more time we waste will be blamed on the Commission, adding to the last three years that have already been lost.”
* Note to the editors:
Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with human hormones. We are all exposed to them on a daily basis through products such as food packaging, clothing, cosmetics and children's toys.
