Fact sheet covering the issues with including potency cut-offs in the EDC criteria.
To date a number of chemicals have been officially identified as EDCs under the existing European chemicals regulation REACH. This shows that EDCs can be identified on a case-by-case basis even in the absence of criteria. Using this approach, ChemSec has identified 32 EDC substances that can be regulated today under the existing legal framework.
Concerning the Public Consultation on the criteria to identify Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in the EU biocides and pesticides legislation, and the Impact Assessment to be performed by the Commission during 2015, ChemSec is worried that the information spread by some industry parties is exaggerated and lacks description of the innovation potential within European companies. There is a need to clarify the state of play and to scrutinize the generally skewed numbers presented by the pesticide industry associations and its allies and the lack of vision for solutions other than replacing one hazardous chemical with another.
Parabens are still commonly used, but the market has started to shift away from them. to replace parabens, either less hazardous preservatives can be used, or changes in production and packaging can eliminate the need for preservatives. ChemSec urges companies to speed-up the phase-out of parabens, consumers to ask for alternatives and eu policy-makers to act on the current scientific knowledge and regulate the use of these substances.
Relining is a process of recoating the entire inside of the water pipe instead of replacing the old pipes with new ones. The concept of relining rather than replacing drinking water pipes was developed in the late 1980s. The recoating of
the drinking water pipes is often done with an epoxy resin containing Bisphenol A (BPA) or Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether (BADGE), which can leach BPA.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the world’s most widely manufactured chemicals, widespread in humans as well as in the environment. BPA is an endocrine disruptor and can be toxic to reproduction even at low levels of exposure.
Phthalates are a large group of chemicals used in a plethora of applications for consumer use. Phthalates possess a broad variety of chemical properties, but there are also several similarities across the group. Many of these substances exhibit potential for endocrine disruption and a negative impact on reproduction.
Parabens are extensively used in personal care products and cosmetics. The last decade has provided increasing scientific evidence of their endocrine disrupting properties and increased consumer demand for paraben-free products. Denmark recently became the first country to ban parabens in products for children.
What are Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals?
Endocrine disrupting chemicals interfere with hormonal communication between cells. Because hormones play a vital role in many processes, including organ development and function, mood and reproduction, endocrine disrupting chemicals could be having pro- found effects on our health. These substances are linked to reproductive abnormalities, immune disorders, obesity, cancer and other diseases. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in many everyday consumer products.
