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.
