Why endocrine disruptors are directly relevant to parents of young children
Infants and toddlers are among the populations most vulnerable to exposure to endocrine disruptors. Their developing bodies, immature metabolic pathways, and exploratory behaviors - putting objects in their mouths and crawling on floors - expose them to relatively higher levels than adults. This finding, documented by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), warrants particular attention to products that come into daily contact with babies.
ANSES defines an endocrine disruptor as an exogenous substance that alters the functions of the hormonal system and causes adverse effects on the health of an intact organism, its offspring, or subpopulations. This definition, aligned with that of the World Health Organization, reminds us that effects can occur at very low doses, sometimes below traditional regulatory thresholds, and that certain effects may not appear until adulthood or the next generation.
Substances identified in childcare products
Phthalates and current European regulations
Phthalates are plasticizers used to soften PVC. Several of them - notably DEHP, DBP, and BBP - are classified as substances of very high concern under the European REACH regulation and are banned or strictly restricted in toys and childcare articles intended for children under 3 years of age. The European Toy Safety Directive (Directive 2009/48/EC) sets limits on their use, and revisions are regularly carried out to incorporate new toxicological data.
ANSES has contributed to several European assessments of these substances as part of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Published research highlights the need to consider not just an isolated substance but mixtures, because the effects of several endocrine disruptors can accumulate - what scientists call the cocktail effect.
Bisphenol A and its substitutes
Bisphenol A (BPA) has been banned in France in all food containers since 2015, as well as in toys. However, ANSES research has shown that some substitutes used to replace it - bisphenol S and bisphenol F - have similarly concerning toxicological profiles. The Agency has recommended applying a principle of vigilant substitution, meaning that a problematic substance should not be replaced with another whose hazard profile has not been sufficiently assessed.
For parents, this means that a product labeled 'BPA-free' does not guarantee the absence of all bisphenols. Consulting product information sheets, independent certifications, and the European SCIP register (Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects / Products) can help make purchasing choices based on objective information.
Parabens and substances in baby cosmetics
In cosmetics, European Regulation 1223/2009 governs the use of parabens. Some, such as propylparaben and butylparaben, are banned in products intended for children under 3 years of age when used in the nappy area. ANSES has also published opinions on allergenic fragrances and certain UV filters used in sunscreens for children, highlighting uncertainties that warrant caution.
How to read certifications and labels in 2026
Given the complexity of the regulatory framework, several certifications provide parents with additional safeguards beyond the mandatory minimum requirements. However, it is important to distinguish genuinely rigorous processes from marketing claims.
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label certifies that every component of a textile product has been tested for harmful substances, according to a regularly updated list that incorporates recent toxicological data. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification goes further by also covering manufacturing processes. For plastics, the CE marking attests to compliance with the applicable European directives, but does not guarantee the absence of all substances of concern that are not yet regulated.
ANSES provides a database on its website of assessed substances and published opinions, which is freely accessible. The ECHA website also provides a register of registered substances. Although technical, these resources enable parents who wish to carry out more in-depth research to access verifiable information.
The precautionary principle in everyday choices
Reducing exposure sources without anxiety
The current scientific consensus does not recommend eliminating all plastics or industrial products from an infant's environment - this would be unrealistic and could potentially cause counterproductive parental anxiety. What ANSES and health authorities recommend is a reasoned reduction in exposure to substances identified as concerning, prioritizing uses involving direct and prolonged contact with the infant.
Several practical guidelines emerge from the available recommendations: prioritize materials whose composition is traceable and certified, avoid heating food in plastic containers, regularly air out the infant's living spaces to reduce the concentration of volatile organic compounds, and choose products whose manufacturers communicate transparently about the composition of the materials used.
The play and activity mat: a major point of contact
Activity mats represent a particularly important contact surface for infants, who spend significant amounts of time on them lying on their stomachs or backs and may put the materials they are made of in their mouths. The composition of the foams, coverings, and dyes deserves specific attention. An activity mat made from certified materials with documented traceability is a choice consistent with an approach aimed at reducing exposure to substances of concern.
The goal is not to find a perfect product - a concept that does not exist in a constantly evolving regulatory context - but to rely on objective and verifiable criteria rather than unsupported marketing claims.
Toward stronger European regulations
The European strategy 'Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability', published in 2020 as part of the Green Deal, provides for a significant strengthening of regulations on endocrine disruptors. Several regulatory revisions are under way, notably the revision of the Toy Safety Directive and the updating of the lists of restricted substances under REACH. These developments aim to better incorporate harmonized identification criteria for endocrine disruptors, defined at European level since 2018 for biocidal products and plant protection products, and gradually extended to other sectors.
For parents, these regulatory developments represent increasing protection, but their effects will be gradual. Until they are fully implemented, the combination of regulatory compliance, independent certifications, and manufacturer transparency remains the best available guide.
To learn more about the safety of products intended for infants, you can read our article on baby product recalls 2025-2026 as well as our analysis of the 2026 baby bathtub regulations. The research and opinions published by ANSES can be consulted directly at www.anses.fr.
