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Endocrine Abstracts (2018) 56 D6.2 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.56.D6.2

ECE2018 Debates Endocrine disruptors: Regulatory vs. Scientific Perspectives (Endorsed by Endocrine Connections) (2 abstracts)

Endocrine disruptors: Regulatory vs. Scientific Perspectives (regulatory view point)

Sharon Munn


Italy.


Societal concerns have been growing with respect to the impact of manufactured chemicals in the environment on human health and wildlife and particularly the link to endocrine-related disorders. The European Commission issued a Community Strategy on endocrine disruptors (EDs) in 1999 to identify the causes and consequences of endocrine disruption and to identify appropriate policy action. The implementation of this strategy has led to a greater understanding of endocrine disruption from EU supported research; identification of priority lists of substances for further investigation with respect to their role in endocrine disruption; the validation and acceptance of OECD test guidelines for the identification of EDs; and the introduction of legislative provisions within chemical control-related legislation. Under the authorisation schemes for pesticides (Reg. (EC) 1107/2009) and biocides (Reg. (EU) 528/2012) criteria were required to be set for the identification of endocrine disruptors. These criteria (adopted for biocides in September 2017 and still undergoing the adoption process for pesticides) are based on the WHO/IPCS definition and can be considered to consist of 3 main elements requiring evidence for i) endocrine activity, ii) an adverse effect, and iii) a biologically plausible link between elements i) and ii). The drafting of guidance on the implementation of the criteria is now underway by the responsible European Agencies, EFSA and ECHA. This guidance is built on the currently available OECD test guidelines relevant to the investigation of a chemical’s potential to interfere with oestrogen, androgen or thyroid hormone action. A systematic review of the scientific literature is also required which could uncover evidence for activity on other endocrine pathways. In order to improve the current suite of regulatory test guidelines the EC is funding activities to identify the gaps and propose solutions to fill the gaps through the multi-disciplinary engagement of relevant experts, particularly within the fields of toxicology and endocrinology.

Volume 56

20th European Congress of Endocrinology

Barcelona, Spain
19 May 2018 - 22 May 2018

European Society of Endocrinology 

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