Addressing the urgent health and environmental threat from endocrine disrupting chemicals

Taking place on 14 May 2025, in Copenhagen and online, the event will bring together leading European scientists, policymakers and civil society to address the urgent health and environmental threat from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). 

The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the Danish endocrine community will host a high-level 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." 

The half-day event is organized with the support of Copenhagen Legacy Lab and aims to create a positive long-term scientific and policy legacy from the Congress in Denmark, Europe and internationally. 

Urgent action needed to tackle proven dangers of EDCs 

EDCs are found in everyday products such as plastics, cosmetics, food packaging and pesticides. These substances interfere with hormone function and are linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders. Research shows over 23,000 contamination sites in Europe, with many "forever chemical" hotspots in Denmark. Despite clear scientific evidence, regulation of these persistent substances remains insufficient across Europe. According to the European Environment Agency, approximately 100,000 chemicals are available on the market and 70% of these have not been tested for their effects on human health. 

With Denmark set to take over the EU Council Presidency on 1 July 2025, the timing of this event offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between science and policy. 

We need to change the conversation around endocrine disruptors in Europe and ensure the necessary research and policy measures are implemented now. The 'Minimizing the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on health and environment' scientific update we are hosting in Copenhagen on 14 May following the Joint Congress is a significant step towards that." 

Jérôme Bertherat, ESE President

Anita Hokken-Koelega, ESPE President, says: 

"Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors. Policymakers across Europe must uphold their responsibility to provide a toxic-free environment for them to grow and develop. We are looking forward to bringing together experts from across Europe in Copenhagen for this important Legacy Event on the latest research and policy challenges in this area." 

Event programme 

Aimed at policymakers, NGOs, the Danish and European scientific community and media, the event will take place from 09:00-13:00 CEST at the Bella Sky Hotel in Copenhagen and online. Speakers and participants will include leading European experts in endocrine disruption and chemicals, national and European policymakers, and representatives of local communities that have been directly affected by EDC exposure. 

A scientific session will focus on key research presented at the Joint Congress and future priorities from the upcoming EndoCompass Research Roadmap. A public health and policy session will look at how to reduce EDC exposure and protect populations more sensitive to exposure including expecting mothers and children. 

Highlights in the programme include: 

• Insights from Members of the Danish and European Parliaments on the current policy debate 

• A tandem talk on fertility and EDCs from both adult and paediatric perspectives 

• A focus on New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and their role in better and faster EDC assessment 

• A testimonial on how perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affect local communities in Denmark 

A networking lunch and press Q+A session will follow the main programme. 

More information about attending the event, including the full programme, can be found here: https://espe-ese-congress2025.org/legacy-event-14-may/