Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on new rules to improve EU standards protecting workers from exposure to certain dangerous substances.

Following the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee approval of the update of the EU rules protecting workers from risks linked to chemical exposure (Directive 98/24/EC), the procedure passed the second step before being adopted. 

Updates 

The European Parliament strengthened the proposal even more, adding: 

• New exposure limit values for certain dangerous chemicals; 

• Clarification of rules on protective equipment, including the right to regular breaks in an area clear of contamination risk; 

• The importance of appropriate training of workers who are (likely to be) exposed to hazardous substances; 

• A call-out for employers to ensure additional protection measures for firefighters who are at risk of contact with hazardous materials; 

• A security that EU States will need to help SMEs comply with the new rules; 

• The need for specific risk assessment by the European Agency for Health and Safety at work (EU-OSHA) for these high-risk professions. 

Next steps

Both Parliament and the Council need to adopt the provisional agreement formally before the rules can enter into force. Parliament is expected to vote on the agreement in October. 

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.  

Follow the latest news and developments on global mobility on our website, and feel free to contact us through our dedicated International Mobility service page for any assistance with similar matters.