EU round up: Biocides may face further controls over endocrine disruption

A study contracted by the European Commission will screen about 100 biocidal active substances for possible endocrine disruption effects in animals and people. It is part of a wider cost-benefit analysis to introduce criteria for what constitutes an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) under European Union (EU) biocides (and pesticides) regulations.

The screening will follow EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) methodology, drawing on existing data, an EU Conference on Endocrine Disruptors heard.

The aim developing a clear idea about what biocidal substances may have EDC properties, helping Brussels consider four regulatory options for introducing these criteria. The first option is maintaining the status-quo, making permanent interim criteria defining EDCs through the EU biocidal products regulation. The second is a World Health Organisation (WHO) definition linking chemicals with adverse effects in humans or animals. A third is defining EDCs based on the WHO definition and introducing additional categories, such as proven EDCs, suspected EDCs or endocrine-active substances. Finally, a fourth option, favoured by the biocides industry, is the WHO definition, coupled with the potency of a substance to cause an adverse effect to the hormone system.

The screening results will be published by the end of the year. A second series of studies will then measure the cost-benefit economic impact of the different options. With this analysis completed in late 2016, the European Commission is expected to adopt criteria for EDCs under EU biocides and pesticides regulations.

Other EU paint and coatingsregulatory news:

• Paints and coatings companies in the EU have been asked to examine new data on the safety of using nanoparticles released by the working party on manufactured nanomaterials of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD). This includes hazard information on paint and coatings ingredients titanium dioxide, cerium dioxide and zinc oxide.

The new information follows an experimental programme where 11 commercially viable nanomaterials were subjected to 780 studies, generating numerous nano-specific eco-toxicological data. "It will be a cornerstone of the work around risk assessment of nanomaterials,” said a European Chemicals Agency note.

"We welcome more nano-specific data becoming publically available. Such data is highly sought after, not only in ongoing research projects and international work but also as a contribution for better transparency of safety information on existing nanomaterials on the market,” said ECHA Executive Director Geert Dancet.

• Meanwhile, the committee for socio-economic analysis (SEAC) of ECHA has launched a consultation on its backing of ECHA proposals to restrict the use of decaBDE as a flame retardant, aiming to reduce emissions from this chemical.
SEAC wants products containing decaBDE on sale before the restriction comes into force to remain available for purchase. The committee’s final opinion will come in September (2015).