Brussels, 26/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for Health And, Vytenis Andriukaitis, has provided assurances to MEPs that he has no intention of further delaying publication of the scientific criteria that will allow for the definition of endocrine disruptors. On Tuesday 26 April, the Commissioner addressed the European Parliament's Environment and Public Health Committee and made a commitment to them that he would be presenting a proposal on this question "before the summer".
During this meeting, organised as part of the structured dialogue initiative, the Commissioner was asked about a variety of subjects ranging from antimicrobial resistance, access to innovative medicines, tobacco, trans fatty acids and alcohol.
On the question of endocrine disruptors, the Commissioner asserted that the Commission was aware of the European Court of Justice ruling stipulating that the deadline for presenting scientific criteria defining endocrine disruptors had been exceeded. Nonetheless, the Commissioner indicated that "The ECJ ruling is not in contradiction with our work: the impact assessment that we are currently carrying out will help us to make a decision". The Commission is currently assessing four possible scenarios, including the taking into account of strength criteria (scenario 4), as sought by the industry. The Commissioner explained, "Toxicologists and endocrinologists have to reach an agreement. It is not up to the Commission to decide. I'm waiting for publication of the experts' report".
On the question of the directive on tobacco products (2014/40/EU), the Commissioner indicated that eight member states had so far informed him that they had transposed the text into their respective national law. He pointed out that the deadline had been set for 20 May and that he would not hesitate, if necessary, to launch infringement procedures. He also indicated that the Commission was still expected to adopt the implementing acts on priority ingredients and the trial groups for flavourings. In reply to a question from the Liberal MEP, Frédérique Ries (Belgium), the Commissioner said that he welcomed the measures taken by some member states to introduce blank cigarette packets and that even if the choice of categorising electronic cigarettes were up to the member states, he was in favour of, the strictest regulation possible in so far as "electronic cigarettes are dangerous".
On the other subjects, he indicated that he would be presenting an assessment of the action plan on antimicrobial resistance and European guidelines on the cautious use of antimicrobials in human health, by the end of the year. He also made a commitment to publishing a pilot project on supporting women suffering from alcohol problems, this year, as well as a proposal on trans fatty acids, next year. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)