Understanding of ‘negligible exposure’ in international science, policy and law, and qualification of the term in relation to the exposure of endocrine substances to the environment

The term “negligible exposure” to endocrine disruptors has been clarified in context of European plant protection product regulations. For this purpose, a research of scientific, policy and legal literature was performed. Definitions of “negligible exposure” were extracted from publications related to (chemical) substances in the environment. Findings were grouped into narrative, qualitative, and quantitative definitions of the term "negligible exposure". A definition of “negligible exposure of endocrine disruptors to the environment” was derived, which depends on the results of the identification and environmental risk assessment of endocrine active substances and their uncertainties.