On Wednesday, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee adopted its position on new provisions aimed at improving EU standards to protect workers from exposure to dangerous substances.
With 45 votes in favour, no votes against, and 10 abstentions, MEPs approved the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD), introducing new exposure limit values for certain hazardous chemicals based on the latest scientific data.
MEPs supported new limits for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, used in battery production, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons used in steel, iron and aluminium production, and 1,4-dioxane used in chemical and textile production. Welding fumes were also added. A long-term exposure limit for isoprene was included, as it is considered carcinogenic and can cause irritation and serious long-term health effects.
To strengthen protection, MEPs require employers to provide personal protective equipment when exposure cannot be reduced below limits, with workers entitled to breaks in safe areas. Additional safeguards were also proposed for firefighters and emergency personnel exposed to hazardous materials.
Support measures for SMEs include monitoring and reporting, along with financial and technical assistance. The committee also called for gender mainstreaming in occupational safety policies.
The report will now move to plenary approval before negotiations with the Council begin.
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