EFSA: Endocrine active substances and non-monotonic dose response – EFSA’s ongoing work

EFSA is currently involved in a number of initiatives to develop scientific knowledge in the field of endocrine active substances and also on overlapping issues such as non-monotonic dose-response relationships and biological relevance in risk assessment. This work follows up on a 2013 scientific opinion by EFSA which provided a definition of endocrine disruptors. Endocrine active substances are chemicals that can interact or interfere with normal hormonal activity. In its March 2013 scientific opinion, EFSA’s Scientific Committee endorsed the World Health Organization’s definition of an endocrine disruptor: there should be reasonable evidence that the substance can cause an adverse effect as a result of its interaction or interference with the endocrine system.