EU law should be extended to protect people from the cocktails of chemicals that they encounter in everyday life, environment ministers are to conclude next week.
The EU already has at least 25 chemicals laws, which cover pesticides, cosmetics and toys, as well as the overarching REACH regulation for the registration and authorisation of chemicals. But these laws do not address the chemicals that people are exposed to from other sources, such as food, clothing and household goods.
“Further action in the field of chemicals policy, research and assessment methods to address combination effects of chemicals is required… taking into account the fact that existing EU legislation in most cases builds on a chemical-by-chemical assessment approach,” according to the draft ministerial conclusions, which ministers are set to agree at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday (22 December).
Denmark put the issue of ‘combination effects’ on the ministers’ agenda, amid public concern over reproductive health problems and childhood allergies. A study by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency suggested in October that toddlers are exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, ie, substances that interfere with hormones and can damage fertility and cause cancers and behavioural changes. In 12 products, including waterproof coats, mittens, nappies, soap and soft toys, researchers found a risk from phthalates and dioxin-like PCBs in food, parabens in oil-based creams, and rubber clogs containing high amounts of endocrine disruptors that “may result in a critical risk for a two-year-old”.
The ministers will ask the Commission to investigate how exposure to chemicals from multiple sources can be tackled in EU law, and to report by early 2012. They will also call for more research, and seek an urgent assessment of the risks from endocrine disruptors.
The Danish government is in no doubt that further action will be needed and expects to address this issue during its presidency of the EU’s Council of Ministers in the first half of 2012.
Environmental campaigners welcomed the text, drafted by the Swedish presidency, but regretted that earlier, more robust language had been toned down.
“It is a step forward,” said Nadia Haiama at Greenpeace. “At last the Council is recognising the importance and urgency of dealing with combination effects, but the call is rather weak.”
The chemicals industry argues that more research is needed to confirm that mixtures are a risk. According to Gernot Klotz at the European Chemical Industry Council: “We have to clarify if there is an additional risk – ‘Yes’ or ‘No’…[and] that is a completely open question.” Consumers had “very good protection” under existing legislation, he said.
Environment ministers will also reflect on the outcome of the Copenhagen climate conference at their meeting in Brussels. They will receive progress reports on draft legislation on recycling old electrical and electronic goods, restricting hazardous substances, and reducing tailpipe emissions from new vans.