FREIA outcomes presented to members of European Parliament

The EDC-Free Europe coalition, is calling on future EU leaders to protect health and the environment from health-harming endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), by sharing its priorities for the upcoming policy mandate at an event at the European Parliament.  

EDCs are pervasive, found in everyday products, and place a substantial health and economic burden on Europe, with health-related costs from known EDCs estimated at €163 billion annually as of 2016—a figure likely far lower than the true cost.

Future generations will judge current leaders on their response to the public health threats posed by EDCs and other harmful chemicals. The current EU chemicals regulations, namely REACH, need urgent updates to reduce exposure, suffering and thus also health costs.” Martin Hojsik, MEP, Renew Group states.

EDCs are hazardous chemicals that disrupt hormone function and pose serious health concerns, contributing to reproductive cancers, diabetes, and neurodevelopmental disorders. EDC exposure is linked to falling sperm rates, early puberty, and can significantly impact ovarian function, contributing to fertility challenges that many people face. Especially the vulnerability of young children, already in the womb, underscores the potential for lifelong and multigenerational impacts.” Majorie van Duursen, Professor of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam and FREIA project coordinator stated.

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.

The coalition calls for expedited identification and regulation of EDCs, advocating for a transition toward an EDC-free, non-toxic circular economy. The coalition also stresses the importance of bolstering the EU’s leadership in international chemical governance and ensuring that citizens have access to justice and accountability regarding EDC-related issues.

European citizens deserve protection from chemicals that jeopardise their health, with EDCs linked to certain cancers, diabetes, and developmental disorders. We urge EU policymakers to make healthy populations their top priority and act swiftly to eliminate these dangerous chemicals from our daily environments.” said Andreea Botoş, EDC-Free Europe Campaign Coordinator.  

To this end the EDC-Free Europe coalition urges EU leaders to adopt their suggestions: 7 Priorities to protect people and the environment from endocrine-disrupting chemicals full statement / short version


Notes:

EDC-Free Europe is a coalition of over 70 environmental, health, women’s, and consumer groups across Europe, united in concern over the health and environmental impacts of hormone-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

This post is modified after the press release from the Health and Environment Alliance.

2nd Annual EDC Forum report and recordings now available

The Second Annual Forum on Endocrine Disruptors took place virtually on 17-18 December 2020. A full report of the conference and the conference recordings are now available.

Read and listen how FREIA coordinator Majorie van Duursen presented challenges and opportunities to identify EDCs that are toxic to female reproduction.

The objective of the Second Annual Forum is to present the actions on endocrine disruptors in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, published as annex to this Strategy, on which the actions are based. In addition, this forum will serve as a platform for policy makers and stakeholders to discuss follow-up actions. Finally, recent developments on endocrine disruptors (research projects funded, European initiatives…) were discussed.

EC asks input from public on EDCs

As part of their strategy for endocrine disruptors, the European Commission will take a cross-cutting look at the approach to endocrine disruptors’ assessment and management in a broad range of legislation.

This “Fitness Check”  includes two public consultations: a public consultation (designed from a citizen’s perspective) and a stakeholder consultation (designed for stakeholders and experts).

You can have your say! The online survey can be found here and is open for comments until 31 January 2020.

EC organises forum on EDCs

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The European Commission is organising the first annual Forum on Endocrine Disruptors on 8 November at the EC Conference Centre Albert Borschette.

The Forum will bring together scientists, public and private stakeholders with expertise on endocrine disruptors to exchange information and best practices, identify challenges and build synergies, in order to inform the Commission’s reflections.

The programme will include presentations on the latest state of science and human health protection, on national action plans on endocrine disruptors, and on the European Commission’s work on the fitness check to assess whether relevant EU legislation on endocrine disruptors delivers its overall objective to protect human health and the environment.

This Forum is one of the actions in the Commission Communication of November 2018 « Towards a comprehensive European Union Framework on Endocrine Disruptors », outlining a strategic approach to endocrine disruptors for the years to come, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a high level of protection of EU citizens and the environment as well as to preserve an internal market.

There is the possibility to follow the event via webcast or watch the video of the event afterwards. Both services will be made available here.

European regions call for higher level of protection against EDCs

JUNE 27, 2019 Two months after the European Parliament resolution on the negative impact of a number of chemicals used in food and cosmetics production in the EU, local and regional representatives have called on the European Commission to provide a higher level of protection from hazardous chemicals. According to studies, endocrine disruptors, or EDCs, have a harmful effect on the work of the body’s hormones, leading to infertility, obesity and cancers. In children, they are increasingly linked to autism and other conditions.