The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new measures to strengthen protection for workers exposed to hazardous substances that can cause illnesses including cancer and asthma.
The agreement, reached under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council, forms the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), updating EU health and safety legislation to reflect the latest scientific evidence and technological developments.
The revised measures are expected to prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other work-related illnesses over the next 40 years.
New exposure limits and wider protection
The sixth revision introduces occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 1,4-dioxane.
It also adds welding fumes to Annex I of the directive, bringing them within the list of substances, mixtures and processes covered by the legislation.
During negotiations, the Council and Parliament agreed to extend the scope of the directive further by introducing an occupational exposure limit for isoprene.
Additional workplace safety measures
The provisional agreement also includes a seven-year transitional period for applying the new occupational exposure limits for PAHs and extends this transition to all carbon and graphite manufacturers.
New provisions require regular breaks for workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and clarify how PPE requirements interact with existing legislation.
The agreement also updates the definitions of carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances to reflect the inclusion of welding fumes, highlights the need for further guidance on welding fumes and introduces a recital recognising that occupational exposure limits alone cannot eliminate all workplace health and safety risks.
Next steps for the legislation
The provisional agreement must now be formally endorsed by both the Council and the European Parliament before undergoing legal and linguistic revision ahead of formal adoption.
Sixth revision of the CMRD
The Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive establishes measures to prevent and protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances and requires occupational exposure limits to be introduced wherever possible.
Following an evaluation of EU occupational safety and health legislation in 2017, the directive has been revised five times, covering more than 40 hazardous substances. The European Commission published its proposal for the sixth revision on 18 July 2025.
Marinos Moushouttas, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Republic of Cyprus, said: “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.
