Identification, assessment and management of "endocrine disruptors" in wildlife in the EU substance legislation-Discussion paper from the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA).

Discussion paper from the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Toxicol Lett. 2013 Mar 15; Authors: Frische T, Bachmann J, Frein D, Juffernholz T, Kehrer A, Klein A, Maack G, Stock F, Stolzenberg HC, Thierbach C, Walter-Rohde S Abstract A discussion paper was developed by a panel of experts of the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) contributing to the on-going debate on the identification, assessment and management of endocrine disruptors with a view to protect wildlife according to the EU substance legislation (plant protection products, biocides, industrial chemicals). Based on a critical synthesis of the state-of-the-art regarding regulatory requirements, testing methods, assessment schemes, decision-making criteria and risk management options, we advise an appropriate and consistent implementation of this important subject into existing chemicals legislation in Europe. Our proposal for a balanced risk management of endocrine disruptors essentially advocates transparent regulatory decision making based on a scientifically robust weight of evidence approach and an adequate risk management consistent across different legislations. With respect to the latter, a more explicit consideration of the principle of proportionality of regulatory decision making and socio-economic benefits in the on-going debate is further encouraged. PMID: 23500481 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Toxicology Letters - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Toxicol Lett Source Type: research