WIREDGOV

The European Commission has launched an on-line consultation to help define criteria for endocrine disruptors as required by the regulations on biocidal and plant protection products. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with hormone systems, which may lead to harmful effects on health and the environment. Input is sought from stakeholders and the public on various options for the criteria and for their implementation.

Launching the consultation, European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said: "Endocrine disrupting chemicals have triggered a substantial debate: there are strong signals from science, there is increasing public and political concern and awareness, while some stakeholders still have doubts. Europe is watching – we need these criteria to improve protection and give industry the certainty it requires. Citizens and stakeholders can help us make an informed decision."

EU Commissioner in charge of Health, Tonio Borg said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of an online public consultation on endocrine disruptors. This is an opportunity for all parties to openly share their views on this complex issue and marks another important step in the policy-making process."

Chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties are used in various industrial and service sectors, and may be found in the environment after their use. Current legislation for biocidal products and plant protection products requires the Commission to specify scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine-disrupting properties of chemical substances. Because of the potential socio-economic impacts linked to how the criteria will be defined and the complexity of the issue, , the Commission needs to carry out an impact assessment, and to consult the public. The scope of the impact assessment is set out in a roadmap. Until the new criteria are set, protective interim criteria are in place.

Next steps

All citizens and organisations are invited to contribute to the consultation which will be open until 16 January 2015. Replies to the public consultation will, subject to confidentiality rules, be published following the closure of the consultation.

For more information:

The public consultation can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/

Background information and supportive documents can be found at:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/endocrine/index_en.htm

Report of the Endocrine Disrupters Expert Advisory Group:

http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/our_activities/food-cons-prod/endocrine_disrupters/jrc-report-scientific-issues-identification-endocrine-disrupting-substances

European Food Safety Authority Scientific Opinion of endocrine disruptors:

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/130320.htm

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Contacts :

For the press:

Joe Hennon (+32 2 295 35 93)

Andreja Skerl (+32 2 295 14 45)

For the public: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or by e­mail