The mandatory evaluation of hormone-disrupting effects is still in process for another 289 approved active substances in pesticides in Germany. The federal government could not provide a specific timeline for these evaluations, as revealed in responses to written questions in the Bundestag.
Approval of new (chemical) agents in agriculture and the food processing industry has been problematic within the European Union and its member states for years, partly because multiple authorities have jurisdiction. Moreover, many EU countries lack the expertise for the (re-)assessment of various chemical and physical tests and studies.
The Die Linke faction in the Bundestag had inquired about the progress of the five-point plan by BMEL Minister Cem Özdemir. His response reveals that several federal ministries as well as state departments in Germany have jurisdiction over the matter. This arrangement differs in each EU member state. Additionally, the EU holds authority over health matters related to the use of chemical agents.
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as of 19 December 2024, the EU has assessed 134 active substances in pesticides for hormone-disrupting effects. So far, 19 active substances have been classified as ‘harmful to health’ and eight as ‘harmful to the environment’ for non-target organisms.
The need for action is scientifically proven according to Brussels. Hormone-disrupting substances are found in everyday products such as food packaging and cosmetics. These substances can cause serious damage even at very low concentrations. The health costs of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the EU were estimated at approximately €163 billion per year in 2016.