IPEN Short Position on Endocrine Disruptors as a SAICM Emerging Issue

In 2006, endocrine disruptors were identified in the core documents of SAICM as a group of chemicals that might be prioritized under SAICM. Risk Reduction, a SAICM objective, requires that “humans and ecosystems and their constituent parts that are especially vulnerable or especially subject to exposure to chemicals that may pose a risk are taken into account and protected in making decisions on chemicals.” One of the functions of the International Conference on Chemicals Management is “to focus attention and call for appropriate action on emerging policy issues as they arise and to forge consensus on priorities for cooperative action.” The nomination of EDCs as an emerging policy issue under SAICM presents an opportunity for necessary action on endocrine disruptors. IPEN fully supports the nomination of EDCs as an emerging policy issue under SAICM in order to focus attention and call for
appropriate action on EDCs.