European Commission strengthens protection of workers from hazardous chemicals

The European Commission has presented new measures to reduce exposure of workers to hazardous chemicals, aiming to cut the incidence of serious diseases and make workplaces safer.

What’s the plan?
A revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD) has been proposed. According to estimates, these measures could prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other diseases (such as liver and kidney conditions) over the coming decades. Healthcare systems could save up to €1.16 billion, while workers and their families would benefit from better quality of life.

Main elements:

• new exposure limits for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, widely used in battery and hard metal production;
• limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in industries such as steel production and welding fumes;
• stricter control of 1,4-dioxane, a common solvent in the chemical and textile sectors;
• inclusion of welding fumes under the CMRD, due to carcinogens such as chromium, nickel and cadmium.

Next steps:
The proposal is based on scientific evidence and the advice of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work. It will now be discussed by the European Parliament and the Council. Once adopted, Member States will have two years to transpose it into national law.