What is being done?
Long-term action
The long-term actions under the Commission's strategy relate to
updating, amending or adapting the legislative instruments that
protect the health of humans and wildlife in the EU. This includes:
- Addition of new or adaptation of existing toxicity tests for
hazard assessment and the adaptation of methodology for assessing
the health risk to people and wildlife (risk assessment).
- Updating the way in which chemicals are classified, packaged,
labelled, used or marketed in order to ensure safe usage and disposal
within the EU. Of particular relevance is the Commission's new Regulation
(EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation,
Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). It will enter
into force 1 June 2007 and addresses industrial chemicals with
endocrine disrupting potential.
- Legislation relating to the testing, assessment, use and disposal
of specific substance groups such as pesticides, biocides and
consumer products will also require review, so as to ensure that
those with endocrine disrupting properties are properly managed
(risk management).
- EDs not addressed by specific legislation (e.g.natural substances
and by-products such as hormones and dioxins) will be dealt with
under environmental legislative instruments such as the Water
Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), adopted in 2000, or through
the adaptation of existing international legislation such as the
UNECE POPs Protocol.
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