Updates to EU’s Directive on Hazardous Substances Approved

On Oct. 6, the European Parliament approved new rules for occupational exposures to certain chemicals as part of the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic substances directive. The directive is intended to protect workers in the European Union from exposures to harmful substances.

The rules include new occupational exposure limit values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, which are used in battery production; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are used in the production of steel, iron, and aluminum; and 1,4-dioxane, a substance used in chemical and textile production. Also new to the directive is a long-term occupational exposure limit value for isoprene, a substance used in chemical and rubber production, of 8.5 mg/m3 or 3 ppm. The new rules further include updates that clarify rules on personal protective equipment and added protections for firefighters and other emergency services personnel. Under the updated rules, employers will be required to provide training to workers who may be exposed to carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances, including certain pharmaceutical substances found in hazardous medicinal products.

EU member states will have two years from the date the directive goes into effect to adopt the new measures. Longer transitional periods are allowed for some of the new exposure limit values.

Learn more in the press release from the European Parliament. The text adopted by the legislative body is also available online.