Directive 2019/130 - Amendment of Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

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1.

Current status

This directive has been published on January 31, 2019, entered into force on February 20, 2019 and should have been implemented in national regulation on February 20, 2021 at the latest.

2.

Key information

official title

Directive (EU) 2019/130 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 January 2019 amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (Text with EEA relevance.)
 
Legal instrument Directive
Number legal act Directive 2019/130
Original proposal COM(2017)11 EN
CELEX number i 32019L0130

3.

Key dates

Document 16-01-2019; Date of signature
Publication in Official Journal 31-01-2019; OJ L 30 p. 112-120
Signature 16-01-2019
Effect 20-02-2019; Entry into force Date pub. +20 See Art 3
End of validity 31-12-9999
Transposition 20-02-2021; See Art 2.1

4.

Legislative text

31.1.2019   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 30/112

 

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/130 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 16 January 2019

amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular point (b) of Article 153(2), in conjunction with point (a) of Article 153(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2),

Whereas:

 

(1)

Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) aims to protect workers against risks to their health and safety from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at the workplace. A consistent level of protection from the risks related to carcinogens and mutagens is provided for in that Directive by a framework of general principles to enable Member States to ensure the consistent application of the minimum requirements. Binding occupational exposure limit values established on the basis of available information, including scientific and technical data, economic feasibility, a thorough assessment of the socioeconomic impact and availability of exposure measurement protocols and techniques at the workplace, are important components of the general arrangements for the protection of workers established by that Directive. In that context, it is essential to take the precautionary principle into account where there are uncertainties. The minimum requirements provided for in that Directive aim to protect workers at Union level. More stringent binding occupational exposure limit values or other protective measures can be set by Member States.

 

(2)

Occupational exposure limit values are part of the risk-management measures under Directive 2004/37/EC. Compliance with those limit values is without prejudice to other employers' obligations pursuant to that Directive, in particular the reduction of use of carcinogens and mutagens at the workplace, prevention or reduction of workers' exposure to carcinogens and mutagens and measures which should be implemented to that effect. Those measures should include, in so far as it is technically possible, the replacement of the carcinogen or mutagen by a substance, mixture or process which is not dangerous or is less dangerous to workers' health, the use of a closed system or other measures aimed at the reduction of the level of workers' exposure to a level as low as possible, thereby fostering innovation.

 

(3)

For most carcinogens and mutagens, it is not scientifically possible to identify levels below which exposure would not lead to adverse effects. While setting the limit values at the workplace in relation to carcinogens or mutagens pursuant to this Directive does not eliminate risks to the health and safety of workers arising from exposure at work (residual risk), it nonetheless contributes to a significant reduction in risks arising from such exposure in the stepwise and goal-setting approach pursuant to Directive 2004/37/EC. For other carcinogens and mutagens, it is scientifically possible to identify levels below which exposure is not expected to lead to adverse effects.

 

(4)

Maximum levels of the exposure of workers to some carcinogens or mutagens are established by limit values which, pursuant to Directive 2004/37/EC, must not be exceeded. Those limit values should be revised and limit values should be set for additional carcinogens and...


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This text has been adopted from EUR-Lex.

5.

Original proposal

 

6.

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