Highlights from the symposium “What roles can European cities and local authorities play in the prevention and protection against endocrine disrupting chemicals?”

Across Europe, cities and local authorities are taking important steps to limit people's exposure to harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). To put a spotlight on these initiatives and foster inspiration and opportunities for synergies, Réseau Environnement Santé (RES), EDC-Free Europe and the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) Germany organised a symposium in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 20 April 2023, with the support of the city and Eurométropole of Strasbourg.

The symposium brought together speakers and participants from seven different countries, including the French Minister Delegate to the Minister of Health and Prevention, representatives from four French regions and the cities of Hamburg, Helsinki, Limoges, Lyon, Nice, Riga, Stockholm and Strasbourg. Other participants included members of the European Parliament and the European Commission, civil society groups and environment and health experts from Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden. The full proceedings will soon be available on Réseau Environnement Santé (RES)’ website, in English and French. 

To kick off the event, French Minister Delegate in charge of Health and Prevention Agnès Firmin Le Bodo delivered a recorded speech, highlighting the health concerns associated with the exposure to endocrine disruptors. She emphasised the importance of collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders in various European countries, including at sub-national level. She outlined the numerous initiatives undertaken in France since the adoption of the first national strategy on EDCs in 2014, and drew attention to preventive measures throughout the country, in particular by fostering new partnerships with regions and local representatives.

Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg, acknowledged the importance of the symposium and the mobilisation of the numerous actors across Europe involved in projects to raise awareness on EDCs and reduce people's exposure. 

The health costs of exposure to EDCs are estimated to be at least 163 billion Euros per year in Europe alone. Every day of delay to take regulatory actions is a serious cause of concern.

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