State of play, main conclusions, outlook

On 7 November 2018, the Commission adopted its Communication “Towards a comprehensive EU framework on endocrine disruptors”, updating the Strategy of 1999. The Communication confirmed the Commission's commitment to protect EU citizens and the environment from endocrine disruptors. It outlined a number of actions to step up the EU approach to maintain and further progress the expected high level of protection. In particular, to address concerns on the coherence of the EU legal framework, the Communication announced a cross-cutting Fitness Check on endocrine disruptors. While evaluations or fitness checks of relevance for endocrine disruptors have already been carried out, a systematic analysis of the coherence of relevant provisions on endocrine disruptors across the EU legal measures was missing.

The fitness check thus aimed to contribute to the assessment of whether EU chemicals legislation delivers its objective to protect human health and the environment by minimising the overall exposure to endocrine disruptors.

The fitness check involved over 30 pieces of primary chemicals-related legislation in view of the different risk assessment approaches and risk management measures evident across sectorial legislation. The fitness check was published together with and in support of the Chemical strategy for Sustainability - Towards a Toxic-Free Environment. It therefore supports the Commission’s ambition to develop a simplified process of ‘one substance-one assessment’ as part of the Strategy. The fitness check concluded that options for consolidation of the legislation and for improved communication to the public and stakeholders of the principles guiding risk management of endocrine disruptors should be explored.

Moreover, it highlighted the need: 1) for a horizontal approach to identify endocrine disruptors across different sectorial legislation that builds on the criteria developed already for pesticides and biocides; 2) to review and strengthen information requirements on endocrine disruptors to aid identification of endocrine disruptors, including methods that address sensitive life stages (vulnerable groups); and 3) then need for the further development of methods for screening and testing of endocrine disruptors.