New EU Occupational Exposure Limits for Cobalt, PAHs, Dioxane, Welding Fumes, and Isoprene
Summary
The European Parliament Employment and Social Affairs Committee adopted its negotiating position on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive with 45 votes in favour, 0 against, and 10 abstentions. The position introduces new occupational exposure limit values for cobalt (used in battery production), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (used in steel, iron, and aluminium production), 1,4-dioxane (used in chemical and textile production), welding fumes, and isoprene (used in chemical and rubber production). The committee also added provisions requiring employers to provide personal protective equipment when residual exposure cannot be reduced below limit values, and special protections for firefighters and emergency services personnel.
Workplace safety managers in affected industries—battery manufacturing, steel and metal production, chemical processing, textile and rubber manufacturing, and welding operations—should begin reviewing current occupational exposure monitoring programs for the five newly listed substances. The personal protective equipment obligations and firefighter protection provisions signal expanded employer liability once the directive enters into force, and companies with significant SME supply chain exposure should anticipate financial and technical support requirements at member-state level.
What changed
The Employment and Social Affairs Committee adopted its position on the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), introducing new occupational exposure limit values for five additional substances: cobalt and inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1,4-dioxane, welding fumes, and isoprene. The committee also added provisions mandating that employers provide personal protective equipment when residual exposure cannot be reduced below limit values, with adjustments to a worker's body-type, and the right to regular breaks in contamination-free areas. Additional protections were added for firefighters and emergency services personnel, including specific risk assessments, adequate protective measures, and targeted medical surveillance. The committee further included requirements for gender mainstreaming in occupational safety policies and support measures for SMEs.
Companies operating in battery production, steel and iron manufacturing, aluminium production, chemical processing, textile production, rubber manufacturing, and welding operations across the EU should monitor the legislative process closely. Once the directive is adopted through trilogues with the Council and transposed into national law, employers will face binding occupational exposure limits and enhanced personal protective equipment obligations. The European Commission estimates the measures will prevent approximately 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over 40 years.
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Improved protection for workers against their exposure to chemicals
Press Releases EMPL
15-04-2026 - 09:34
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New limit values for chemicals used in battery, steel, chemical and textile industries
Stronger provisions for personal protective equipment
According to the Commission, these new measures can prevent about 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over 40 years
On Wednesday, the Employment and Social Affairs committee adopted its position on new provisions improving EU standards to protect workers from exposure to dangerous substances.
With 45 votes in favour, no votes against, and 10 abstentions, Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs approved the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD), which includes new exposure limit values for certain dangerous chemicals, based on the latest scientific data.
New exposure limit values MEPs backed new limit values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, used for battery production, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, used in steel, iron and aluminium production, and 1,4-dioxane, used for chemical and textile production. They also supported the addition of welding fumes.
Isoprene MEPs included a long-term occupational exposure limit value for isoprene (used in the chemical and rubber producing industry), which they say meets the criteria for classification as carcinogenic. Exposure to isoprene can cause irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs, and chronic and high exposure may lead to liver cancer and anaemia.
Use of protective equipment To improve the protection of workers, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee added an obligation for employers to provide personal protective equipment, such as respiratory protective devices, when residual exposure cannot be reduced to levels below the limit values, which need to be adjusted to a worker’s body-type. When wearing them, workers should have the right to regular breaks in contamination-free areas, MEPs say.
Firefighters MEPs also want additional protection measures for firefighters and emergency services personnel, who are at risk of coming into contact with a variety of hazardous materials during their work. The report underlines the need for specific risk assessments, adequate protective measures, and targeted medical surveillance for firefighters and emergency services personnel.
Support for small and medium sized businesses To support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) with the implementation of the directive, MEPs want member states to monitor and report the effects of the implementation of the legislation on SMEs, including specific measures such as financial and technical support.
Gender dimension As workers can be more vulnerable to different types of substances depending on their gender, the committee wants gender mainstreaming to become an integral part of the development of all occupational safety and health policies.
Quote Rapporteur Liesbet Sommen (EPP, BE), said: “ In the EU, each year around 120,000 workers are diagnosed with cancer following exposure to carcinogens at their workplace. We cannot accept this; no one should be made sick just by going to work. The new exposure limits we are proposing will ensure better protection for thousands of workers across the EU. We are working to improve the protection of workers, reduce health risks, and support decent working conditions.”
Next steps The negotiating mandate still has to be endorsed in plenary, before negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law can begin.
Background The sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive should improve the protection of workers against occupational diseases and lower risks to workers’ health. According to the European Commission, it will prevent about 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over the next 40 years.
Contacts:
- ### Arianne SIKKEN
Press Officer Contact data:
- Phone number: +32 228 33126 (BXL)
- Mobile number: +32 477 99 19 34
- E-mail: arianne.sikken@europarl.europa.eu
- E-mail: empl-press@europarl.europa.eu
- X account: @EPSocialAffairs
- Bluesky account: @empl.europarl.europa.eu
Further information
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
- European Parliament Research Service briefing - Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work
Product information
Ref.: 20260414IPR40825
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