Chemicals Regulations Chart

Chemical of Concern

The chemical of concern row details country-specific differences in regulations, restrictions, and bans (or the lack thereof) on unique chemical substances. The chemicals included in this section of the International Kit have been selected based on their links to endocrine disrupting and/or carcinogenic effects, as well as their ubiquity in consumer products or the environment. Our original intention was to rank the chemicals in tiers based on the level of scientific evidence associating each chemical’s effects on breast cancer incidence. However, due to reasons including the correlation-causation fallacy and the constant emergence of new science, the chemicals are instead listed alphabetically.

Scientific studies have shed light on xenoestrogenic mixtures (substances that mimic the hormone estrogen), rather than single compounds. Findings indicate that there is a strong positive association between total xenoestrogenic burden and breast cancer risk, ultimately illustrating the potential for individual chemical interactions to elicit additive or synergistic effects (Pastor-Barriuso et al., 2016).

International conventions issue a set of guidelines regarding a particular chemical or group of chemicals. Individual parties are then delegated to signature, and ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession of the proposed regulations. These stages of regulation are reflected in the International Kit with respect to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

• Signature is the formal expression of intent to be bound, but there is no legal obligation yet. Signature is subject to ratification, but does not prejudge it.
• Ratification indicates a party’s consent to be bound to a treaty and grants parties the necessary time-frame to enact the necessary legislation to give effect to that treaty.
• Acceptance, approval, and accession have the same legal effect as ratification. They are similar means by which a party establishes its consent to be bound by a treaty, depending on legal or policy requirements.