Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work
In interinstitutional negotiations (trilogues). Parliament and Council are working toward a provisional agreement, which would still need formal adoption to become law.
Last active 13 May 2026
What this bill does
In plain terms: what it changes and who it affects.
This proposal tightens EU workplace protections by adding welding fumes and new exposure limits for several cancer- or fertility-related substances.
It affects workers exposed to hazardous substances, including welders, firefighters, foundry and metallurgy workers, coking-plant workers, and employees handling cobalt, PAHs or 1,4-dioxane. Employers in those sectors must meet stricter exposure controls.
- Adds certain welding fumes to the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances workplace regime.
- Sets EU exposure limits for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, with sensitisation notations.
- Sets an EU exposure limit for PAH mixtures, measured as benzo[a]pyrene, retaining skin notation.
- Sets exposure and biological limit values for 1,4-dioxane, including short-term and skin-uptake controls.
- Takes effect
- The directive enters into force on the twentieth day after publication in the Official Journal.
- Transitional law
- Six-year transitional exposure limits apply for cobalt compounds, and for PAH mixtures in specified sectors.
- Directive 2004/37/EC (32004L0037)
- art. Annex I: adds welding fumes to list of substances, mixtures and processes
- art. Annex III: adds or revises limit values and notations for cobalt compounds, PAHs, 1,4-dioxane and mercury entry
- art. Annex IIIa: adds biological limit value for 1,4-dioxane
Latest update
07 Jun 2026The most recent development in this bill's progress.
1st reading – European Parliament → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
1st reading – European Parliament → Trilogues (interinstitutional negotiations)
Documents
1 recentSourcesOEILEUR-LexEU Law Tracker