UNEP EDCs
United Nations Environment Programme Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Potential EDCs
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that alter function(s) of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects. International research efforts to better understand the presence of EDCs and associated effects on the environment have been intensified over the past three decades and led to an increasing level of concern about and action on EDCs. In particular, at the 4th session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM 4), a Resolution was adopted by the stakeholders inviting UN Environment to generate and disseminate information on EDCs. This report is the first within a set of three Overview Reports commissioned by UN Environment to the International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP) on EDCs in response to its commitment to the ICCM 4 Resolutions. It aims to serve as a compendium of information that provides an overview of global initiatives identifying EDCs and potential EDCs, including a comparison of the existing efforts as well as highlighting current gaps.
This report reviews existing, publicly accessible initiatives by various stakeholders (governments, industry, civil society and academia) to identify EDCs. In total, 28 initiatives are identified and considered. These initiatives are qualitatively compared and grouped/categorized in terms of their scope, selection criteria, selection processes, and included chemical information. Several general observations are made, including:
- Substantial resources have been and are being invested into identifying EDCs, as reflected
- by the number and diversity of the initiatives found.
- The intended purpose of individual initiatives as well as the criteria used to identify (or
- include) chemicals as EDCs or potential EDCs vary considerably.
- Some initiatives have already been heavily developed and publicized, whereas others are
- planned or currently in earlier development stages.
- Within the initiatives identified, there is a lack of input and representation from developing
- countries and countries with economies in transition.
- No commonly accepted criteria for the identification of EDCs are yet available, however,
- recently the European Commission accepted criteria for the identifications of EDCs in plant
- protection products (Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/605).
Furthermore, the report also identifies a set of 45 chemicals, or groups of chemicals, for use in the subsequent Overview Report II that have been identified as EDCs or potential EDCs following a thorough scientific assessment based on the WHO/IPCS 2002 definitions of EDCs and potential EDCs. Readers are encouraged to find further, relevant information in Report II on the life cycle, environmental exposure, and effects of select EDCs and potential EDCs, and in Report III on existing regulatory frameworks and policy initiatives on EDCs.