Endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with human hormones. We are all exposed to them on a daily basis through products such as food packaging, clothing, cosmetics and children's toys. This is why the S&D Group has been working on measures to prevent any harm derived from these substances for several years.

When the issue was brought to the EU Court of Justice by Sweden, the court ruled that the European Commission failed in meeting the deadline to identify and ban potentially harmful endocrine disruptors. And yet there is still no plan to speed up this process.

Today the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament called on the Commission to take up its responsibilities.

Jytte Guteland MEP, the S&D spokesperson on this issue, said:

"It is absolutely unacceptable that the Commission, as the guardian of the treaties, has not only failed to act according to its legal obligations but also does not want to remedy the breach of law it committed, thus completely ignoring the court ruling. The Commission is responsible for protecting the health of Europe's citizens, but is very consciously ignoring this responsibility. To jeopardise citizens' health in this manner is blatantly irresponsible and shameful.

"Endocrine disruptors should be regarded as 'substances of very high concern' within Europe's Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, which means that they should be banned or limited and replaced with safer alternatives.

"The EU's legislation regulating chemicals is insufficient to determine whether a substance has endocrine-disrupting properties and lacks standard data requirements. This is why we demand appropriate information and testing methods in order to reduce the risks of exposure – particularly for those who are affected the most: pregnant women, babies, children and teenagers.

"Both the European Parliament and Council will now put pressure on the Commission to ensure that it respects its obligations under EU law and delivers better protection against endocrine disruptors."