Skip to content On 15 April 2026, the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee approved the update of the EU rules protecting workers from risks linked to chemical exposure (Directive 98/24/EC). The update would tighten exposure limits and create additional obligations for employers.
The update expands existing rules on hazardous substances—particularly carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic agents—by covering new materials and work processes, such as welding fumes. These stricter limits aim to lower the incidence of occupational diseases, including cancer and respiratory conditions.
Employers will face stronger requirements regarding the use of personal protective equipment to improve worker safety, especially in situations where exposure cannot be reduced below the established thresholds.
Next steps
The proposal now moves to a plenary vote in the European Parliament. If adopted, it will enter negotiations with the Council and the European Commission before being finalized and transposed into national legislation.
What does that mean for global companies?
For companies—particularly in sectors like manufacturing, chemicals, and construction—the revision will likely lead to stricter workplace safety standards. Businesses will need to review and update risk assessments, adjust preventive measures, and in some cases invest in new technologies to comply.
To ease the burden on smaller firms, the EU is encouraging Member States to track the impact of the new rules and offer financial as well as technical assistance to SMEs.
For mobile workers, the revised measures could help prevent around 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other illnesses over the next four decades, although businesses are expected to undergo a transition period to meet the new compliance requirements.
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