The Council of the European Union decided on Tuesday 17 October not to oppose the scientific criteria for determining the endocrine disrupting properties in biocidal products. Only Denmark, Luxembourg and Sweden expressed a dissenting opinion.
Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances which interfere with the hormonal system and may have adverse effects on health and the environment. To meet its legal obligations, the Commission brought forward – two and a half years late – scientific criteria for determining the endocrine disrupting properties of substances present in biocides (Regulation EU 528/2012) and in pesticides (Regulation EC 1107/2009).
The General Affairs Council decided on 25 September not to oppose the implementing regulation relating to the part that deals with pesticides. It was also decided on Tuesday 17 October not to oppose the delegated regulation relating to the part that deals with biocides. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 4 October opposing the pesticides section, arguing that the Commission was not empowered to introduce a new clause allowing the marketing of “disruptors by design”. These are active substances designed to disrupt the endocrine system of various organisms other than vertebrates (see EUROPE 11822). It has yet to adopt a decision with regard to biocides, though here, too, there is a similar opt-out clause. According to our information, Parliament has two months from receipt of the text to adopt an objection. This two-month period is due to run out in mid-November. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)