Limits on exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work

‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

They are all made publicly available for stakeholders and the public.The European Commission proposes to amend Directive 2004/37/EC by expanding its scope and by including and/or revising occupational limit exposure values for a number of cancer-causing chemical agents in the light of new scientific data. According to the Commission, this would improve workers' health protection, increase the effectiveness of the EU framework and promote clarity for economic operators.

The proposal has received a broad welcome from stakeholders. Trade unions nonetheless regret that certain substances are not included, and some on the employers' side oppose the limit value for respirable crystalline silica.

The Council reached an agreement on a general approach on the proposal on 13 October 2016. The European Parliament's EMPL Committee rapporteur has presented her draft report in December 2016. A total of 196 amendments were tabled on the Commission proposal. The Committee vote took place in February 2017.

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in June 2017 reached an agreement on the proposal.

The proposal was due to be the subject of a first reading vote during the October II plenary session of the European Parliament.

• Primary Source

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Commission proposes better workers' protection against cancer-causing chemicals http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-commission-proposes-better-workers-protection-against-cancer-causing-chemicals/

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-for-a-directive-of-the-european-parliament-and-of-the-council-amending-directive-2004-37-ec-on-the-protection-of-workers-from-the-risks-related-to-exposure-to-carcinogens-or-mutagens-at-work/

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment, July 2016: Protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2016/581419/EPRS_BRI(2016)581419_EN.pdf

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Limits on exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work, June 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/limits-on-exposure-to-carcinogens-and-mutagens-at-work/

EP: EPRS: Briefing: Initial Appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment, July 2017: Protection of workers from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens: second proposal (CMD 2) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/603254/EPRS_BRI(2017)603254_EN.pdf

ESO: Background information: Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (COM(2017)11) http://www.europeansources.info/record/proposal-to-amend-directive-2004-37-ec-on-the-protection-of-workers-from-the-risks-related-to-exposure-to-carcinogens-or-mutagens-at-work/

EP: EPRS: Plenary at a Glance, October II, 2017: Protection of workers from carcinogens or mutagens at work: Exposure limit values http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2017/608767/EPRS_ATA(2017)608767_EN.pdf

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