Official Press Release from the Council Presidency and the European Parliament

The Council presidency and the European Parliament have reached a provisional deal to update the carcinogens and mutagens directive, an EU law to protect workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances.

Under the agreement, workers will benefit from greater protection due to the setting of exposure limits for acrylonitrile and nickel compounds and the lowering of the limits for benzene. In addition, the Council and Parliament have agreed to extend the scope of the directive to reprotoxic substances, chemicals which may interfere with the human reproductive system.

The EU is taking another step to keep workers safe from substances which may lead to cancer or other illnesses. These new rules will reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals for an estimated one million workers.

– Janez Cigler Kralj, Slovenian minister for labour, family, social affairs and equal opportunities

To read the full press release, click here.