Endocrine disruptors and how to avoid them: get ahead of the upcoming regulation

• You've surely heard of endocrine disruptors (EDs), those harmful chemicals that hide within many of our everyday products. Be aware of this rather-unsuspected source of EDs and go beyond the upcoming EU regulations.

• What is an endocrine disruptor (ED)?

  Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are chemical substances that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. These chemicals can mimic or block the actions of natural hormones, leading to a wide range of health effects, such as development, reproduction, metabolism or immunity troubles.

  Its consequences are particularly acute in developing organisms —as pregnant women, children and adolescents— and can be inherited from generation to generation.

  Where you can find them?

  Endocrine disruptors are found in a variety of everyday products, including plastics, decorations, or home and personal care products.

  Some of the most well-known EDs are phthalates or bisphenol A (BPA); these chemicals, used in certain plastics, can cause reproductive and developmental problems, as well as an increased risk of certain cancers.

  New rules on endocrine disruptors and long-lasting chemicals

  Despite the known health risks associated with endocrine disruptors, these chemicals continue to be used in a wide range of products. While some countries still have little or no regulations to limit their use, others start to develop them.

  In the EU there are dozens of legislations regulating chemicals. Not surprisingly, EDs —being a major current public health concern— are the focus of many amendments and additions to European legislation. The most recent is a Commission proposal to review the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals); CLP is the regulation responsible, among other things, for the hazard pictograms we all know from the back labels of non-food products. The proposal was made a few months ago and, when adopted, will introduce endocrine disruptors and other new hazard classes. Its aim is to better identify these chemicals and improve labelling.

  Although great progress is being made, not all possible sources of EDs are yet taken into account; to avoid exposure, the consumer shall take personal measures and rely on independent certifications.

  How to avoid them?

  One step that individuals can take to reduce their exposure to endocrine disruptors is, of course, choosing products that are free of these chemicals. But identifying the sources of EDs becomes an arduous task once you know that back labels do not contain all the information you need!

  You should be aware that there is a big difference between the components of a product and its emissions: indeed, the ingredients of a product can degrade and react with each other or with the environment to form new substances (Volatile Organic Compounds), which are released into our indoor air and can be potentially harmful.

  Thus, indoor air pollution is a little-known but important source of endocrine components in homes and workplaces. A way to easily identify products with low emissions is looking for the independent certification Air Label Score, which goes one step ahead of regulations by providing the most stringent, comprehensive and reliable information on product emissions and their impact on indoor air.

• Do you supply non-food products? Anticipate forthcoming regulations and make sure your product neither contains NOR releases forbidden substances! (Contact)

  Find all certified products here. If you are interested in the progress of air quality regulations, take a look at our General overview of air quality legislation (Global recap 2023)

  Sources: Epigenetic impacts of endocrine disruptors Study (2019), Endocrine Disruptor Lists (2023), European Commission - Press release 2022, Endocrine Society - EDCs 2022