The European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee has adopted its position on new measures to strengthen protection for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals. The proposal forms part of the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), aiming to update EU standards in line with the latest scientific evidence. The initiative is significant as occupational exposure to dangerous substances remains a major health risk across industries, including chemicals, metals, and textiles.

The revised provisions introduce new occupational exposure limits for substances such as cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1,4 dioxane, and welding fumes. The committee also proposed a long-term exposure limit for isoprene; a substance linked to potential carcinogenic effects. Additional measures include stronger requirements for employers to provide appropriate personal protective equipment when risks cannot be fully mitigated, along with provisions ensuring workers have access to breaks in safe environments. The proposal also highlights the need for targeted protection for firefighters and emergency workers, as well as monitoring and support measures for small and medium-sized enterprises. According to the European Commission, the updated rules could prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other illnesses over the next 40 years. 

For more details, please refer to the press release on European parliament website.