The European Commission has decided not to submit its proposals on endocrine disruptors to a vote this time, despite two days of discussions with experts from member states on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 May. Another meeting on the subject is likely to be organised for 30 May next.
It should be recalled that during the middle of last year, the Commission decided to retain three criteria for identifying (and ultimately banning) chemical substances that dangerously interfere with the hormonal system (see EUROPE 11573). Its proposals, however, come after three years of delay, given the initial timetable. They are based on two texts and subject to different adoption procedures: a draft regulation on pesticides and a delegated act on biocides. Both of them are divided into a part involving specific criteria and another on derogations.
The Commission organised a seventh meeting with the experts from the member states on 17 and 18 May. The first day is expected to focus on discussions and the second, in the event of there being sufficient support, will help to obtain a vote on the revised proposals on pesticides (the proposals and biocides do not require a vote prior to the adoption of the texts by the Commission) (see EUROPE 11781).
The Commission, however, decided to arrange another meeting, which will probably be on 30 May. In a reply to a question put to it by EUROPE on the reasons for such a delay, the Commission indicated that the atmosphere has been good and the discussions “extremely fruitful” but it would not say any more on the subject.
According to the information we have received, the Commission is not expected to provide any substantial amendments to its proposal by 30 May. One source close to the dossier informed us, “the atmosphere was calm. Nonetheless, the Commission did not receive the support of a qualified majority of member states, far from it”. This same source then explained to us the reasons justifying such a refusal in each of the member states. Some of the member states would like the part on the criteria and the one on derogations to be voted on in a single block. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)