Brussels, 26/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission was supposed to establish, by 31 December 2013, the criteria to identify endocrine disrupters, chemicals which disrupt the hormone system, with a view to banning them. However, nothing has as yet been done, laments Sweden, which is threatening to take legal action against the Commission over its failure to act. Joe Hennon, the spokesperson to Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, confirmed this on Monday 26 May, but was at this stage unable to report any formal complaint. Given the delay it is already certain that it will be the job of the next European Commission to do what is needed.
“The establishment of this list of criteria was in the 2013 working programme of the Commission. We are aware of Sweden's concerns and we have been aware for some weeks of the intentions of the Swedish authorities. We take the issue very seriously and are doing our best to reach a science-based conclusion”, said Hennon.
When asked about the reasons for the Commission's delay, he referred to the “complexity of the issue” and “diverging views existing among scientists and among stakeholders”, such as industry on the one hand, and environmental and health NGOs, as well as consumer organisations, on the other.
In any case, given the “European chemical lobbies” criticised by Lena Ek, Sweden's Minister for the Environment quoted by AFP, the level of toxicity from humans is the greatest stumbling block.
“There will be a communication on the general policy on endocrine disrupters. An impact assessment is underway. The next Commission will take action”, said the spokesperson.
The assessment underway, which is very nearly finished, focuses on the potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of a raft of options for these future criteria and on their implementation in EU law. The Commission, which is hoping to downplay its delay, stresses that the EU directives on pesticides and biocides already contain very strict criteria applicable to endocrine disrupters on a temporary basis. (AN)