GUIDELINES FOR IDENTIFYING ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS (EFSA/ECHA) (EDS)
These days, hormonal disruption is a hot subject. EFSA and ECHA have released a draught guidance paper on this topic, following the 2016 draught EU legislation setting scientific criteria for identifying EDs (under the plant protection and biocidal products Regulations). It explains how to collect, analyze, and consider all relevant ED data, perform a mode-of-action (MoA) analysis, and use a weight-of-evidence (WoE) approach to determine if these requirements are met.
Despite the fact that the ED guidelines apply to any endocrine-disrupting MoA, the current guidance only applies to EATS modalities (oestrogen, androgen, thyroid, and steroidogenic). These pathways have the most well-characterized MoAs and well-established test guidelines (both in vitro and in vivo), as well as widespread consensus on how to interpret findings. We will be better able to distinguish EDs as we gain a better understanding of how other endocrine modalities (aside from EATS) can cause adverse effects. The advice is currently focused on vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, and other animals) since we know the most about their endocrine systems (and the widest availability of test methods).
The guidance is currently open to public comment, but it is expected to be finalized and implemented on June 7, 2018.
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