Regulatory measures and legislation

The regulation of chemical substances varies according to the type of product and the intended use. Overall, regulatory measures are designed to minimise the risks posed by endocrine disruptors (ED) to human health and the environment.

Chemical products
Food contact materials
Cosmetic products
Toys
Pesticides and biocides

Chemical products

Chemicals legislation forms the basis of this risk reduction approach, with the aim being to protect public health and the environment. Based on this legislation, other laws regulate the use of hazardous substances, for example in the sectors of food safety, occupational safety or agriculture.

In the chemicals legislation, endocrine disruptors are considered to be of particular concern. Substances identified as such are restricted and their use may be prohibited.

To enable consumers to recognise products containing endocrine disruptors more easily, the European Commission has published a Regulation under which new hazard classes are to be progressively introduced in Europe from 2023 to 2028.

Substances causing endocrine disruption in humans or the environment will thus be identified, classified and labelled according to uniform criteria. New EU hazard statements will thus gradually appear on product labels and safety data sheets:

EUH380: May cause endocrine disruption in humans
EUH381: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in humans
EUH430: May cause endocrine disruption in the environment
EUH431: Suspected of causing endocrine disruption in the environment

Following the introduction of this new Regulation, additional restrictions or prohibitions are likely to be established in various application areas. The Swiss authorities continue to monitor developments at the European and international level.

Possible amendments to Swiss chemicals legislation will be considered in due course. The aim is to coordinate as far as possible the implementation of certain measures, in order to avoid technical barriers to trade and to ensure an equivalent level of protection in Switzerland and the EU.

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Food contact materials

In Switzerland, as in the EU, food contact materials (packaging, dishes, cling film, etc.) are subject to the requirements of food legislation.

No food contact material that could pose a risk to health may be supplied to consumers.

Plastic food-contact materials, in particular, are subject to stringent requirements to ensure health protection.

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Cosmetic products

Certain cosmetic products are believed to contain endocrine disruptors – for example, UV filters in sunscreens and preservatives in creams.

For this reason, the European Commission has established a priority list of potential endocrine disruptors, and a risk assessment of these substances in cosmetics is under way.

The relevant legislation will be adapted in line with the results, so that consumer health protection is assured in accordance with the current state of scientific knowledge.

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Toys

Toy safety legislation is continually adapted on the basis of scientific knowledge so as to ensure the highest possible level of protection for children.

This involves, for example, setting migration or content limits for certain chemical substances suspected of posing a risk to children’s health (e.g. the migration limit specified for bisphenol A).

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Pesticides and biocides

In general, active substances of pesticides or biocides identified as endocrine disruptors are prohibited.

However, there are certain exceptions for pesticides, particularly if exposure of humans or non-target organisms to the active substance is negligible. In addition, residues of the active substance in food must not exceed the standard limit, set at a very low level.

Similar considerations apply to biocidal agents identified as endocrine disruptors. They may also be authorised for professional use under certain conditions.

It must, however, be shown

that exposure to the active substance is negligible,
that the active substance is absolutely essential for preventing/controlling a serious risk to human or animal health or the environment, and
that failure to approve the active substance would have disproportionate adverse consequences for society.

Such authorisations are, however, time-limited, and the active substances of the pesticides and biocides are regularly re-evaluated to assess their toxicity.