OECD Report: Scientific Consensus Needed to Classify Endocrine Disrupters Under GHS
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) | Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC)
The OECD (2025) Report titled “State of the Science to Address Endocrine Disrupters Under the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling (GHS)” summarizes the complex scientific landscape surrounding the identification and hazard classification of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDs) in order to protect human and environmental health.
Core Challenge: The report evaluates available test methods to identify chemicals that interfere with the endocrine systems of humans and wildlife, providing input to the UN GHS. The goal is to develop harmonized criteria for classifying EDs, similar to how carcinogens or mutagens are classified.
Scientific Focus: The review focused on test methods for the relatively well-studied pathways, specifically Estrogen, Androgen, Thyroid, and Steroidogenesis (EATS) pathways, as well as other endocrine pathways (”non-EATS”). Identifying a chemical involves finding evidence of its potential to interact with an endocrine pathway target (mechanism) and the associated downstream adverse effects.
Methodology Review: The OECD uses a Conceptual Framework for Testing and Assessment of Endocrine Disrupters, which includes standardized test guidelines (e.g., in vitro assays, mammalian and non-mammalian toxicology tests) to evaluate chemicals for endocrine disruption. The report summarizes the expert views on the diversity of methods available for both EATS and non-EATS EDs.
What is the Globally Harmonised System (GHS)? The GHS is a globally agreed-upon standard managed by the United Nations that aims to create a single, harmonized system for classifying chemical hazards and communicating that hazard information on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The GHS ensures that chemical hazards are identified and communicated consistently worldwide, aiding worker safety and international trade.
Policy Relevance
India is aligning its chemical safety and hazard communication framework with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) through the proposed Chemicals (Management and Safety) Rules (CMSR). The OECD’s work under the GHS provides a technical reference that may support future consideration of endocrine-related hazards alongside established criteria such as persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity, as India’s chemical management framework continues to evolve.
Follow the full news here: Report on the State of the Science to Address Endocrine Disrupters Under the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling