from CHEMISTRY & INDUSTRY magazine online, 11/2/98

Europe to ban hormone mimics

The European Parliament has voted for a ‘gradual withdrawal’ of hormone-disrupting chemicals from the European market despite lacking a definitive inventory of harmful substances. MEPs passed the motion by a huge majority, reflecting cross-party support for the phase-out of synthetic chemicals thought to interfere with the human endocrine system. Only four of 501 MEPs voted against.

Substances under suspicion include phthalates, which are used to soften PVC, and nonylphenols, used as emulsifiers in a wide range of products. Chemicals used in cosmetics, clothing, foams, creams and PVC should also be evaluated, MEPs concluded.

The motion called on the European Commission to draw up a list of hormone-mimicking substances ‘with a view to their gradual removal from the market’. Marketing clearance of products containing suspected endocrine disrupters should be re-examined, the parliament concluded. European Commissioner Neil Kinnock told the parliament that he and his colleagues were drawing up a strategy to deal with endocrine disrupters. The chemicals were one of the key priorities of the European Union’s research programme, he said.

MEPs acknowledged that more research was needed before a comprehensive list could be drawn up. They recommended the establishment of a Europe-wide scientific network to counter the ‘flagrant lack of independent research’. In the meantime, products containing synthetic chemicals should be strictly labelled, they concluded. Manufacturers should list all non-natural substances in their products and indicate how risky they are. MEP Kirsten Jensen, who proposed the motion, said that the burden should be on manufacturers to prove that their products are safe. French Gaullist Alain Pompidou, speaking for the parliament’s energy committee, said he was unable to wholeheartedly agree with the motion, but most other political groups expressed their support. Spanish socialist Jos_ Valverde Lopez said: ‘Parliament is expressing its concern. It is now up to the Commission to initiate the studies necessary to check whether this concern is sufficiently well founded to take action.’ UK Liberal Democrat Graham Watson pointed out that very few of the 10,000 synthetic chemicals available had been properly tested.