Council and Parliament agree on measures to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances

The Cyprus presidency of the Council has struck a provisional deal with the European Parliament on rules aimed at protecting workers in the EU from exposure to hazardous substances that could cause illnesses such as cancer or asthma.

The sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD) updates the EU’s health and safety legislation with a view to strengthening protection against exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

This agreement reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a high level of protection for workers against serious occupational health risks. By introducing new occupational exposure limit values, we are ensuring that the Union’s legislative framework keeps pace with the latest scientific evidence and technological developments. This outcome will help create safer working environments for millions of workers across Europe and further strengthen the prevention of work-related illnesses.

Marinos Moushouttas, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Republic of Cyprus

The revision is expected to prevent around 1 700 lung cancer cases and 19 000 other illnesses over the next 40 years.

Aim of the sixth revision

The Commission’s proposed revision to the CMRD ensures that the EU’s legislation is fully in line with the latest scientific developments. Specifically, the proposed revision:

• sets occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and 1,4-dioxane
• adds welding fumes to the list of substances, mixtures and processes set out in Annex I of the directive

Details of the agreement

The Council and the Parliament have maintained the ambition and key objectives of the Commission’s proposal. In addition, they have provisionally agreed to:

• expand the scope of the directive to include an OEL for isoprene
• prolong the transitional period for the application of the new OEL for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to 7 years and broaden the scope of sectors benefitting from it to all carbon and graphite manufacturers
• introduce an obligation of regular breaks for workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and clarify the applicable rules regarding the use of PPE in relation to existing legislation
• update the definitions of 'carcinogen', 'mutagen' and 'reprotoxic substance' to reflect the inclusion for the first time in Annex I of an entry (welding fumes) with potentially reprotoxic effects
• highlight the importance of developing further guidance on welding fumes
• include a new recital pointing out that setting OELs does not completely eliminate risks to the health and safety of workers

Next steps

The provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then formally be adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision.

Background

The carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD) sets out measures to prevent and protect against risks linked to exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances at work, and includes an obligation to establish OELs where possible.

Following an evaluation of the EU’s occupational safety and health directives in 2017, the CMRD has undergone regular updates; five revisions have so far been adopted, addressing more than 40 key hazardous substances. On 18 July 2025, the Commission published a proposal for a sixth revision of the CMRD.

• Exposure to hazardous substances at work: Council agrees its position on updated rules (press release, 1 December 2025)
• Protecting workers: health and safety at work (background information)