Commission has adopted a Communication, confirming its commitment to protecting citizens and the environment from hazardous chemicals.The Communication also outlines how the Commission intends to ensure that the EU approach remains the most modern and fit-for-purpose in the world.

The EU's strategic approach to endocrine disruptors will continue to be based firmly on science and on the application of the precautionary principle. It aims at:

- minimising our overall exposure to endocrine disruptors, paying particular attention to important life periods, such as pregnancy and puberty;

- accelerating the development of a thorough research basis for effective and forward-looking decision-making in the context of Horizon Europe, building on the existing research and paying particular attention to areas where knowledge gaps exist;

- promoting active dialogue allowing all stakeholders to be heard and to work together. In this context, the Commission will organise a Forum on endocrine disruptors on an annual basis and step up its support to the work of international organisations.

For the first time, the Commission will launch a comprehensive screening of the legislation applicable to endocrine disruptors through a Fitness Check that will build on the data already collected and analysed. Without putting into question the general science-based EU approach to the management of chemicals, the Fitness Check will involve an assessment of the current legislation on whether it delivers on the objectives of protecting human health and the environment. The Fitness Check will also include a public consultation.

The EU has already extensively supported research on endocrine disruptors. It has funded over 50 projects, with over €150 million under the various Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation. A further €52 million has been allocated under Horizon 2020 for projects on testing and screening methods. The EU has also taken strong regulatory action to protect citizens and the environment from endocrine disruptors on the basis of scientific assessments and in line with the different requirements laid down in the relevant legislation. In particular specific provisions on how to address endocrine disruptors are included in the legislation on pesticides and biocides, chemicals in general. Furthermore, when it comes to FCM, cosmetics, toys and protection of workers at the workplace,, substances with endocrine disrupting properties have been subject to case-by-case regulatory action as other chemicals with hazardous properties. As a result, multiple substances with endocrine disrupting properties have been prohibited or exposure to them minimised as far as technically and practically feasible.

The Commission has also supported the work of relevant international organisations, in particular the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in the area of testing methods, and carried out bilateral exchanges with international partners.