EDCs-training organized by PAN Europe

In December 2014 PAN Europe organised a 2-days training session on Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) for our members and Dutch/Flemish organisations [1]. The aim on the training was to bring our members and organizations of interest up-to-date on the issue of endocrine disrupting chemicals, in terms of scientific findings, political developments and major threats. We invited experts, including research scientists, MEP advisers, Chemical experts and pioneer NGOs to present the different angles of EDCs, how they affect society and the environment and how NGOs can work on these issues on a national level.

We also motivated the participants to respond to the Public Consultation launched at that time by the Commission on the different criteria options for EDCs and the regulatory decision-making. Moreover, we presented a platform tool for a quick response to the public consultation, created by the EDC-free coalition that PAN Europe is also a member. More than 20,000 people used the tool to respond to the consultation, which was a great success.

The event was very fruitful, reinforced collaboration among NGOs and we found the common grounds for action in 2015.

Invitation to the EDC meeting by PAN Europe

“Dear members and colleagues,

There is some heat going on in the Brussels arena in relation to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). The Public Consultation has been launched (which is so technical that it can hardly be called "public") that will be crucial to determine the next steps: how these chemicals are going to be regulated in Europe.

We don't want EDCs in our food, we don't want them near our houses, children's playgrounds, residential areas, not even near our pets. These chemicals are active in tiny amounts and all scientific evidence suggests that EDCs are bad news. Reproductive anomalies, cognitive difficulties, obesity, diabetes, autism, Parkinson disease are some of the diseases/dysfunctions that may derive from exposure to EDCs- especially when exposure takes place during the early life stages, when the organism is still under development.

The public consultation ends in January. PAN-Europe wants to use this opportunity and organize a training session/seminar among all our members and collaborators about EDC pesticides. Some of the experts on the field including research scientists, MEP advisers, Chemical experts and pioneer NGOs will present the different angles of EDCs and how they affect society and the environment. Furthermore, our members and NGOs active in Netherlands and Brussels will have the chance to present their national activities and discuss further opportunities.

Below is a very preliminary agenda of issues that we would like to include in the seminar (click here for the final agenda).

Thank you in advance for your contribution and collaboration.

Best regards,
PAN Europe”

1. With the financial support of the European Commission, DG Environment (LIFE2012ENVNL /0008833).