EU: Commission proposes new exposure limit values to better protect workers against cancer-causing chemicals
"Commission takes further action to better protect workers against cancer-causing chemicals", 5 April 2018
[T]he European Commission is taking another important step to protect workers in the European Union from workplace-related cancer as well as other health problems.
The Commission proposes to limit workers' exposure to five cancer-causing chemicals, in addition to the 21 substances that have already been limited or proposed to be limited. Estimates show that today's proposal would improve working conditions for over 1,000,000 EU workers and prevent over 22,000 cases of work-related illness.
Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: "...This will [...] help create a healthier and safer workplace, which is a core principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights."
The Commission proposes to include new exposure limit values for five chemicals in the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive...
Introducing these exposure limit values will not only lead to fewer cases of work-related cancer, but also limit other important health problems caused by carcinogenic and mutagenic substances...
European limit values also promote consistency by contributing to a 'level playing field' for all businesses and a clear and common objective for employers, workers and enforcement authorities...
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