In a decisive move to confront one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time, leading European scientific societies are convening an influential event focused on the detrimental impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Scheduled for 14 May 2025 in Copenhagen, with an option for online participation, this high-level meeting promises to rekindle the scientific and policy dialogue needed to address the pervasive threats posed by these hazardous compounds. The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), alongside the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and Denmark’s endocrine community, have joined forces to host the event titled “Minimising the Impact of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals on Health and Environment: A Scientific Update Following the Joint Congress of ESPE and ESE 2025.” Their collaborative efforts underscore the urgency of creating a sustained scientific and regulatory legacy from one of Europe’s pivotal conferences.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are synthetic or natural compounds that interfere with the body’s hormonal systems, a critical mechanism governing growth, metabolism, and reproduction. These chemicals are ubiquitously present in everyday materials—from plastics and cosmetics to food packaging and pesticides. Their omnipresence exacerbates human exposure risks, which research links to a spectrum of adverse health outcomes including infertility, metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes, certain cancers, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorders. The pervasive and insidious nature of EDCs reflects a critical environmental health issue requiring focused scientific scrutiny and regulatory reform.
The complexity of identifying and regulating EDCs stems in part from their vast chemical diversity and subtle biological effects, often manifesting at low doses with non-traditional dose-response relationships. Furthermore, the persistence and bioaccumulative characteristics of many EDCs, particularly so-called "forever chemicals," complicate risk assessment and regulatory oversight. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a notorious subset of these persistent pollutants, persist indefinitely in the environment and have been detected in numerous contamination hotspots across Europe, including Denmark. Such persistence amplifies concerns about long-term population exposure, especially in vulnerable communities.
Europe faces a significant regulatory challenge given the staggering number of chemicals in commercial circulation. According to estimates from the European Environment Agency, the market contains approximately 100,000 chemicals, yet around 70% of these lack comprehensive toxicological evaluation regarding their endocrine-disrupting potential. This data gap underscores an urgent need for advanced scientific methodologies to identify hazardous substances and enforce protective regulatory frameworks that prioritize human and environmental health. Without targeted intervention, the silent burden of chemical exposure will continue to exacerbate chronic disease prevalence and environmental degradation.
The timing of the Copenhagen event is strategically aligned with Denmark’s impending EU Council Presidency beginning in July 2025. This leadership role offers Denmark a unique platform to steer European chemical policy towards more robust protections against EDCs. By fostering dialogue between cutting-edge scientists and policymakers, the event aims to accelerate transformation in chemical regulation inspired by the latest scientific evidence, facilitating policies that effectively mitigate exposure risks and promote public health equity across Europe.
Speakers at the event will include an array of distinguished experts from both the scientific and political realms. These include European parliamentarians, national policymakers, and researchers who specialize in endocrine disruption, chemical safety, and public health. The program is designed to integrate recent scientific advances from the Joint Congress of ESPE and ESE 2025 with actionable policy recommendations, emphasizing translational science that bridges laboratory findings with societal impact.
Scientific sessions will delve into key research outcomes, underscoring vital priorities outlined in the EndoCompass Research Roadmap—an ambitious project designed to enhance the understanding of endocrine disruptors’ health effects and guide future investigations. By focusing on mechanistic studies, biomarker development, and toxicological characterization, the roadmap aims to fill existing knowledge gaps and enable risk assessors to better predict and prevent adverse outcomes associated with chemical exposure.
Equally significant is the public health and policy-oriented segment of the event, which will examine strategies to reduce EDC exposure in susceptible populations, particularly pregnant women and children. Given the critical periods of development during gestation and early childhood when endocrine systems are highly sensitive, minimizing chemical exposures during these windows is paramount. Discussions will emphasize evidence-based interventions, regulatory tightening, and community engagement to safeguard vulnerable demographics.
A notable highlight will be the presentation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), which represent innovative, non-animal testing techniques leveraging in vitro systems, computational models, and high-throughput screening to assess chemical toxicity. NAMs hold promise for revolutionizing EDC assessment by expediting hazard identification, reducing reliance on traditional animal studies, and providing mechanistic insights into endocrine disruption pathways. This paradigm shift in toxicology is essential to keeping pace with the vast number of chemicals requiring evaluation.
The event will also include a powerful testimonial from local communities in Denmark affected by PFAS contamination, providing essential real-world context to the scientific and policy discussions. Hearing firsthand accounts from individuals living with the consequences of chemical exposure adds urgency and humanizes the scientific discourse, compelling policymakers to consider the ethical imperative of prompt regulatory action.
After the formal sessions, attendees can engage in a networking lunch and a press question-and-answer segment, fostering collaborative exchange among scientists, policymakers, media representatives, and civil society actors. This interaction is intended to galvanize a multifaceted response to endocrine disruption, ensuring that the momentum generated at the event translates into tangible advances in chemical safety regulation and public health protection.
In summary, the Copenhagen Legacy Event symbolizes a pivotal juncture in Europe’s approach to endocrine disruptors. It combines rigorous scientific insight with proactive policy dialogue, strategically positioned to influence regulatory agendas during Denmark’s EU Council Presidency. As the evidence mounts regarding the pervasive risks of EDCs, this convening represents a clarion call for coordinated, science-driven action to mitigate chemical hazards, protect vulnerable populations, and pave the way toward a healthier environment for present and future generations.
Subject of Research: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Their Impact on Health and Environment
Article Title: Europe’s Scientific and Policy Leaders Unite to Confront Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Threat
News Publication Date: Not specified
Web References:
- https://espe-ese-congress2025.org/legacy-event-14-may/
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2023/02/23/forever-pollution-explore-the-map-of-europe-s-pfas-contamination_6016905_8.html
- https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/transforming-eu-chemicals-regulation-better-protect-human-health-and-environment-2023-12-11_en
Image Credits: European Society of Endocrinology
Keywords: Endocrine disruptors, endocrine system, hormones, endocrinology, ecotoxicology, endocrine diseases, environmental illness, infertility
