Endocrine Chemical Disruptors (EDCs)


In December 2015, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that the European Commission breached European Union (EU) law when it failed to adopt criteria for testing endocrine chemical disrupters or EDCs. These substances are found widely in sectors including agriculture, the food and plastics industry and cleaning and health services, in addition to products including fire retardants and the linings of cans. They affect millions of workers across Europe. Even in small quantities, they can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting growth, development, learning and behaviour. According to the ETUC, they also cause breast, prostate and thyroid cancers.


Under EU rules, the Commission should have adopted criteria for the testing of endocrine disrupting properties by 13 December 2013. After it failed to do so, the Swedish government initiated proceedings. The ECJ said that the Commission “had a clear, precise and unconditional obligation” to act.


The ruling is especially important because it states that it is unacceptable for the Commission to use the need to carry out an impact analysis as an excuse not to take action. TUC Head of Health and Safety Hugh Robertson said: “It is extremely important because it could be used as a precedent for other cases of where the European Commission refuses to act on health hazards.”


The health and safety professionals’ organisation IOSH is currently running a campaign aiming to get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood and help businesses take action. More information on the campaign can be found at: www.notimetolose.org.uk