The European Cluster to Improve Identification of Endocrine Disruptors (also known as EURION) was launched in 2019 (with €49 million in EU funding) and is composed of 8 projects selected under call SC1-BHC-27-2018 of Horizon 2020:
The cluster is expected to continue its activities until 2024 and is working on developing novel testing and screening methods to identify endocrine disruptors. The outcomes of the projects will feed into the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Programme of the OECD.
Background
Endocrine disruptors or endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemical substances that alter the functioning of the hormonal system.
The EU Framework on Endocrine Disruptors, adopted in 2018, sets the European strategy on EDCs in the environment. Briefly, the exposure of humans and the environment to EDCs should be minimised as much as possible throughout the life-course, including with special attention during important developmental phases (e.g., foetal development or puberty).
Compounds should be identified as EDCs so that their presence in the environment can be properly tackled. Given that potentially numerous chemicals have endocrine disrupting properties that are yet to be discovered, it can be especially challenging to act quickly. Better and more reliable detection and screening methods (which are based on in vivo, in vitro and/or in silico studies) can facilitate the identification of suspected EDCs.
Horizon 2020 took steps to make such methods a reality. The construction of a detailed and reliable research basis on EDCs will bring forth the ability to legislate effectively against environmental exposure to these chemicals.
Legislative actions such as the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) provide additional support by improving risk management and hazard identification for EDCs as well as banning of products containing known EDCs from the European market.