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Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances at work

TA-10-2026-0321 · P10_TA(2026)0321 · PE781.362

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Parliament's position at first reading amends Directive 2004/37/EC on protecting workers from carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work. It adds work involving exposure to welding fumes to Annex I and sets new or revised occupational exposure limit values for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), isoprene and 1,4-dioxane. It introduces transitional periods for cobalt and PAHs, and a biological limit value for 1,4-dioxane. It clarifies the definitions of carcinogen, mutagen and reprotoxic substance, and rules on personal protective equipment, breaks and training. Member States must bring the necessary national measures into force within two years of entry into force.

Key points

  1. The definitions of 'carcinogen', 'mutagen' and 'reprotoxic substance' in Article 2 are clarified so that substances, mixtures and processes in Annex I, and substances released by those processes, are covered.
  2. Work involving exposure to fumes from welding processes containing category 1A or 1B carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants is added to Annex I.
  3. Limit values are set for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds: 0,01 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction and 0,0025 mg/m³ for the respirable fraction, with a notation for dermal and respiratory sensitisation.
  4. A transitional period of six years after entry into force applies for cobalt, during which 0,02 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 0,0042 mg/m³ (respirable) apply.
  5. A limit value of 0,00007 mg/m³ measured as benzo[a]pyrene is set for PAH mixtures, with a skin notation.
  6. A transitional period of seven years applies for PAHs in listed sectors, during which 0,00014 mg/m³ applies.
  7. A long-term limit value of 8,5 mg/m³ (3 ppm) is set for isoprene.
  8. Long-term and short-term limit values of 7,3 mg/m³ (2 ppm) and 73 mg/m³ (20 ppm) are set for 1,4-dioxane, with a skin notation and a biological limit value of 45 mg HEAA in urine/g creatinine.
  9. Personal protective equipment, in particular respiratory protective devices, is to be used only as a last resort where exposure cannot be avoided or adequately reduced by other means, and must be correctly chosen, individually adjusted and maintained.
  10. Workers wearing personal protective equipment are entitled to regular breaks in an area free of contamination risk, with duration and frequency based on the risk assessment.
  11. Employers must provide training adapted to new or changed risks, repeated periodically if necessary, including for hazardous medicinal products.
  12. The Commission is to assess whether to set additional limit values for substances in welding fumes, and may consider recommendations for data collection on cobalt, PAHs, isoprene and 1,4-dioxane.

Who is affected

  • Employers and workers in sectors using cobalt, PAHs, isoprene, 1,4-dioxane and welding, who must comply with the new limit values and protection measures.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises, including microenterprises, which must be able to comply without being disproportionately affected.
  • Firefighters and other emergency services personnel, whose employers must assess and reduce exposure risks.
  • Member States, which must bring national measures into force within two years and communicate them to the Commission.

Figures and deadlines

  • 0,01 mg/m³ — limit value for the inhalable fraction of cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds.
  • 0,0025 mg/m³ — limit value for the respirable fraction of cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds.
  • 0,02 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 0,0042 mg/m³ (respirable) — transitional limit values for cobalt for six years after entry into force.
  • 0,00007 mg/m³ (measured as benzo[a]pyrene) — limit value for PAH mixtures.
  • 0,00014 mg/m³ (measured as benzo[a]pyrene) — transitional limit value for PAHs for seven years in listed sectors.
  • 8,5 mg/m³ (3 ppm) — long-term limit value for isoprene.
  • 7,3 mg/m³ (2 ppm) and 73 mg/m³ (20 ppm) — long-term and short-term limit values for 1,4-dioxane.
  • 45 mg HEAA in urine/g creatinine — biological limit value for 1,4-dioxane.

Legal basis: Article 153(2), point (b), in conjunction with Article 153(1), point (a), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.