Reports

PAN Europe reports its major policy actions and campaigns in the year 2016.

Following the growing evidence on the hormone-related adverse health effects in human and wildlife due to exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the European Union has taken the initiative to regulate and minimise human and environmental exposure to these substances.

Criteria could lead to no endocrine disrupting pesticide being banned at all

PAN Europe in 2013 submitted a complaint to the EU Ombudsman regarding the massive (mis)use of a so-called 'confirmatory data' regime in the approval of pesticides. In case of observed high risks for the environment (birds, mammals, arthropods, fish, etc.) industry was granted the opportunity to submit additional information to show that those high risk do not exist, AFTER approval of their chemical.

February 2017 - Executive Summary

Bees are still under threat from abuse of pesticides. Four pesticides which are highly toxic to bees (including neonicotinoids and fipronil) were banned in 2013. However, the pesticide and seed industry, farmers and many EU Member States are continuing to use these pesticides. This is through a loophole in the Pesticides Regulation that allows for ‘emergency authorisations’.

AOP, the adverse outcome pathway, is a very interesting research topic. With AOP scientists try to find out HOW adverse effects develop in the body. AOP could be used in some future for screening of chemicals with unknown toxicity if it matures and shows good predictability of adverse effects.

PAN Europe discusses its major policy actions and campaigns in the year 2015

The importance of taking action against endocrine disrupting chemicals

The harmful effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals have been known for years. Now that political leaders are about to take crucial decisions on their regulation, WECF, PAN Europe and Wemos want to create awareness and disseminate knowledge about the risks and regulatory possibilities. We want the Dutch government to implement protective measures both here and in the European context. The measures taken by France, Denmark and Sweden, which we have analysed in this report, are examples of effective policy.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Future Generations: Time for EU to Take Action

With this compilation of scientific opinions PAN Europe aims to help the general public and regulators to understand the crucial need to regulate the use of EDCs in Europe in a manner that will protect humans, particularly the most vulnerable babies-in-the-womb, newborns and children as well as the environment and all its ecosystems. The decision of the “correct” scientific criteria will define the health of our future generations.

Only few pesticides will be banned, in some regulatory options even zero, the impact on agriculture is not substantial; and gains for society are generally forgotten.