European Parliament Approves New Workplace Exposure Limits for Hazardous Chemicals
Reference source : European Parliament
On 6 October 2026, the European Parliament approved the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), Directive 2004/37/EC. The revision introduces new occupational exposure limits and additional measures to protect workers from hazardous chemicals. This follows the provisional agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council in June 2026.
New Exposure Limits
The approved text introduces the following limits:
|
Substance or group |
Eight-hour exposure limit |
Transitional provisions |
|
Cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds |
0.01 mg/m³ for the inhalable fraction and 0.0025 mg/m³ for the respirable fraction, measured as cobalt. |
Higher limits of 0.02 mg/m³ and 0.0042 mg/m³, respectively, for six years after entry into force. |
|
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures covered by the directive |
0.00007 mg/m³, measured as benzo[a]pyrene. |
A higher limit of 0.00014 mg/m³ for specified sectors for seven years after entry into force. |
|
Isoprene (CAS 78-79-5) |
8.5 mg/m³ or 3 ppm. |
No specific transitional period. |
|
1,4-dioxane (CAS 123-91-1) |
7.3 mg/m³ or 2 ppm. |
No specific transitional period. |
The text also introduces a short-term exposure limit of 73 mg/m³ or 20 ppm for 1,4-dioxane, as well as a binding biological limit value of 45 mg of (2-hydroxyethoxy)acetic acid in urine per gram of creatinine, measured at the end of exposure or the work shift.
The transitional limit for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures applies to specified activities, including steel and iron foundries, aluminium manufacturing, carbon and graphite manufacturing, coking plants, coal tar distillation and certain other metallurgical processes.
Additional Worker Protection
The revision extends the directive’s scope to include work involving exposure to welding fumes containing substances or mixtures classified as category 1A or 1B carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxicants The European Commission will also assess whether additional exposure limits are needed for substances contained in welding fumes.
The text clarifies that personal protective equipment, particularly respiratory protective devices, must only be used where technical and organisational measures cannot adequately reduce exposure. Workers wearing such equipment will be entitled to regular breaks in an area without contamination risks, and the duration and frequency these breaks will be determined by the workplace risk assessment.
Next Steps
Following formal adoption by the Council, the directive will enter into force on the twentieth day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States will then have two years to transpose its provisions into national law, with the longer transitional periods outlined above for certain exposure limits.