Endocrine Disruptors are substances that interfere with the hormone system of humans and other organisms, causing adverse effects such as harming the body’s ability to fight disease.
New EU rules have prohibited any substance identified as an Endocrine Disruptor from being used in plant protection products. That said, if it can be demonstrated that exposure will be negligible, a substance may still be authorised. The new rules will nonetheless have an impact upon the availability of pesticides.
The communication suggests that similar approaches should be pursued in other sectors to identify and restrict endocrine disrupting substances.
The commission will launch a Fitness Check of the rules to establish if the rules are fit for purpose or if new initiatives are required. As part of this, the commission will assess the “costs and benefits for human health and the environment, the competitiveness of EU farmers and industry, and [impacts on] international trade.”