Institutional framework

EU strategy on endocrine disruption

Environment DG

Framework Programmes

Research activities in the Fourth Research Framework Programme (1994-1998)

Even prior to increased policy action focused on endocrine disruption, the European Commission had launched actions in the Fourth Research Framework Programme (FP4) to tackle the problem of endocrine disrupters, since the topic of endocrine disruption had emerged as a research priority in response to rising public concerns. Around 12 million euros were spent on projects dealing with endocrine disruption. Since most effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals had at that time been observed in the environment and, in particular, in the aquatic world, many of the projects focused on fish populations to understand the mechanisms involved, to develop test methods and to identify potential endocrine disrupters.

With a budget of €13,200 million, the Fourth Framework Programme (CORDIS or Europa) covered all the research and technological development activities funded by the European Union during the period 1994-1998. Projects dealing with endocrine disruption were covered mainly in the following thematic programmes:

	Environment and Climate programme
	Biomed 2 programme
	FAIR programme

For more information on FP4 projects, visit the page with all “Completed projects”.

Research activities in the Fifth Framework Programme of Research (FP5: 1998-2002)

The Fifth Framework Programme has two distinct parts: the Fifth European Community Framework Programme covering Research, Technological Development and Demonstration activities; and the Fifth Euratom Framework Programme covering research and training activities in the nuclear sector

As a direct response to the Community Strategy on Endocrine Disrupters, research activities in this field were greatly enhanced. These activities coincided with the introduction of the Fifth Framework Programme of Research (1998-2002). Projects dealing with endocrine disruption were covered mainly in the following thematic programmes:

The Quality of life and management of living resources thematic programme has spent around 43 million euros on ED projects and has sponsored 20 large projects. The human health issues associated with ED are mainly funded through Key action 4: Environment and Health. A catalogue of KA4-sponsored projects can be downloaded [ - 2.74 Mb]

The Energy, environment and sustainable development programme (EESD) has financed 8 projects with a total budget of around 16 million euros touching on ED via the key actions ‘Sustainable management and quality of water’ and ‘Sustainable marine ecosystems’.

• exposure of humans to endocrine disrupters and possible health effects (including low-dose and combined effects)
• risk assessment of various groups of EDCs
• development of test methods
• monitoring of endocrine disrupters in the environment
• fish and invertebrate endpoints

Some of the Fifth Framework projects are ongoing.

A synopsis of endocrine disrupter projects, financed by both the 4^th and the 5^th Framework Programmes, can be downloaded.

Research activities in the Sixth Framework Programme of Research (FP6: 2002-2006)

Endocrine disruption has not been forgotten in the Sixth Research Framework Programme (2002-2006), the topic being specifically addressed by Priority 5 (Food quality and safety, sub-areas ‘Environmental health Risks’ and ‘Methods of Analysis, Detection and Control’; and, to a lesser extent, by Priority 6 (Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems) and Priority 1 (Life Sciences, genomics, and biotechnology for health).

For ongoing FP6 projects, see ‘Ongoing Projects’ section.

Research activities in the Seventh Framework Programme of Research (FP6: 2007-2013)

The calls for proposals in FP7 are published on CORDIS. During FP7, research related to endocrine disrupters may be funded in the Cooperation programme in the Theme "Environment (including Climate Change)" or "Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology" (also known as KBBE)."