- Date 2023-11-20
The Federal Government has adopted a five-point plan for protection against endocrine disruptors, which has been presented by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). Endocrine-disrupting substances or mixtures - also known as endocrine disruptors (ED) - are exogenous substances that can have a negative impact on one or more functions of the hormone system. The health of humans and animals as well as the environment can be impaired by the effects of these substances. Due to their mode of action, endocrine disruptors can cause serious, long-term negative effects in organisms if the body's own regulatory cycles are disrupted.
Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke: "Hormonally harmful substances can be found in countless everyday products. They make plastic packaging softer or cosmetics last longer. However, certain of these substances are harmful to human health and the environment, which is why EU-wide regulations have been introduced for them. For other substances, however, there is still a considerable need for research. It is also important to provide broad information about endocrine disruptors. With our five-point plan, we are bundling measures and objectives to provide more information about endocrine disruptors and to better protect people and the environment from these substances. Our plan focuses on national and European research and the exchange of information. In addition, education is particularly important, especially for groups of people who are particularly affected, such as children and pregnant women. With the action plan, we want to raise awareness and create a basis for significantly reducing the impact of endocrine disruptors on people and the environment."
The Five-point plan for protection against endocrine disruptors (in German) can be found here:
https://www.bmuv.de/meldung/bundesregierung-praesentiert-umfassenden-schutzplan-gegen-hormonell-schaedigende-stoffe
Source: BMUV, press release from 15.11.2023