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European
Community Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters
Dr. Birgit Van Tongelen European Commission, DG ENVIRONMENT
Endocrine disruption is a mechanism whose effects relate to the functioning
of the Endocrine system, that is, development, growth, reproduction
and behaviour of humans and wildlife. There is growing concern about
a range of substances which are suspected of interfering with the
endocrine system and which may cause adverse health effects such as
cancer, behavioural changes and reproductive abnormalities. In December
1996, at a European workshop held in Weybridge, UK, it was concluded
that there is sufficient evidence that testicular cancer rates are
increasing, that the apparent decline in sperm counts in some countries
is likely to be genuine and that some cases exist in the EU where
adverse endocrine effects in birds and mammals coincide with high
levels of substances shown to have endocrine-disrupting properties
in some test systems. It was also concluded that consideration should
be given to measures to reduce exposure to endocrine disrupters in
line with the precautionary principle. Furthermore, the Commission
Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment
has identified a potential global problem for wildlife. In October
1998, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution, calling upon the
Commission to take specific actions, in particular with a view to
improve the legislative framework, to reinforce research efforts and
to make information available to the public. The Communication proposes
a Community Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters.
The objectives are two-fold:
1. To identify the problem of endocrine disruption, its causes and
consequences.
2. To identify appropriate policy action on the basis of the precautionary
principle in order to respond quickly and effectively to the problem,
thereby alleviating public concern.
The strategy identifies four key requirements, that is,
1. the need for further research,
2. the need for international cooperation,
3. the need to communicate to the public and
4. the need for appropriate policy action and recommendations
are made in the short-, medium- and long-term to address these requirements.
Short-term actions include the establishment of a priority list of
substances for further evaluation of their role in endocrine disruption,
use of existing legislative instruments, establishment of monitoring
programmes, identification of specific cases of consumer use for special
action, information exchange and international cooperation, communication
to the public and consultation of stakeholders. Medium-term actions
include the development of agreed test methods and testing strategy
and the reinforcement of research efforts as well as the identification
of substitutes and voluntary initiatives. Finally, long-term actions
entail the adaptation/amendment of existing and proposed legislation
in order to take specific account of endocrine disrupters.
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