Headlines - The National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors: An Assessment of Implementation and Proposals for Improvement

An endocrine disruptor (ED) is a chemical substance that alters the functioning of the hormonal system in living organisms, including humans, particularly during the fetal period. They are present in many everyday consumer products (cosmetics, food, plastics, etc.) as well as in plant protection products and certain medications.

The report from an evaluation mission on the National Strategy on Endocrine Disruptors (SNPE) indicates that validated methods for assessing endocrine-disrupting properties are extremely limited. Applied research programs currently lack funding. Environmental monitoring of endocrine disruptors varies by medium: it is virtually nonexistent in soil and significantly behind in air monitoring compared to water and health monitoring. Recent research confirms the dissociation between dose and effect of endocrine disruptors and so-called “cocktail” effects, calling into question traditional toxicological reasoning. ANSES is meeting its target of evaluating five substances per year, unlike ANSM (which has a target of three). There has been no public support for the substitution of substances with endocrine-disrupting effects. Training and information initiatives remain scattered.

The SNPE was a relevant and timely strategy; however, its implementation suffered from the absence of an associated action plan, a lack of consistency between stated objectives and the allocation of resources, and insufficient interministerial coordination. The potential health impacts would justify greater investment by the Ministry of Health. The gap between the pace of scientific progress and the ability to adapt regulations on these types of emerging issues can undermine the credibility of EU action and that of member states.

The mission proposes structuring the future strategy around five pillars:

• 1. Develop research: give the topic of environmental pollutants a place in the research strategy; optimize and adjust the resources dedicated to applied research on environmental pollutants; develop scientifically grounded expertise

• 2. Strengthen health and environmental monitoring: monitor various environments and food products; expand biomonitoring studies

• 3. Characterize hazards: establish a generic regulatory definition of ED criteria; identify hazards; disseminate validated methods for testing substances

• 4. Manage risks: take initiatives to advance European regulations; ban substances and promote their substitution; use market levers; monitor regulatory enforcement

• 5. Train, raise awareness, and inform: train professionals on the risks associated with endocrine disruptors; inform the public and consumers.