European Commission’s roadmap on endocrine-disrupting chemicals is not far-reaching enough

In a reaction to the European Commission’s roadmap on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, Wemos calls on the Commission to design a comprehensive strategy that minimizes and eventually ends the exposure of European citizens to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

While we applaud that the Commission aims to better regulate EDCs, we are concerned because the proposed plans do not entail a comprehensive approach to EDCs, particularly regarding the circular economy. The transition to a circular economy is exciting, but progress is hampered by the use of chemicals in products that have a negative effect on the environment and human health, and that hinders our recycling efforts.

Circular economy

In our response, we outlined what a comprehensive strategy on EDCs should look like. This includes (among others):

• Base the strategy on the precautionary principle.
• Create coherent legislation to ban EDCs and to end exposure to EDCs; this includes EDCs in food packaging.
• Ensure that the European regulation on chemicals, REACH, is well implemented, including for EDCs.
• Stimulate the use of safe alternatives by adhering to the ‘polluter pays’ concept (EDCs come with high health costs).
• Invest in research on safe alternatives for EDCs and ways to stimulate the use of safe alternatives.

We ingest, absorb and breathe harmful chemicals like EDCs on a daily basis. Evidence on the adverse health and environmental effects of EDCs is increasing. To protect the right to health for all, we must end exposure to these chemicals.