Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

Occupational exposure to hazardous substances remains one of the most serious risks to workers’ health in the European Union. Each year about 120,000 work-related cancer cases occur as a result of exposure to carcinogens at work in the EU, leading to approximately 80,000 fatalities annually. Since its first adoption in 2004, the carcinogens and mutagens directive has been reviewed five times and now addresses 28 cancer-causing substances. This revision supports Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027, which promotes a “vision zero” approach to work-related deaths.

The sixth revision of Directive 2004/37/EC extends protection for millions of workers across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, healthcare, emergency services, waste management, and the circular economy.

Directive 2004/37/EC has a strong tradition of a multi-stage, evidence-based and consultative legislative procedure. It is very important that revised limit values are based on a scientific evaluation and on the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH). The ACSH is composed of representatives of the Member States and the social partners. The ACSH reviews the scientific and socio-economic evidence.

Our position is based on the ACSH opinion. This includes the introduction of binding occupational exposure limit (OEL) values for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), isoprene and 1,4-dioxane, where previously national limit values varied widely or were lacking. Moreover, we should include welding fumes, when they contain CMR substances such as chromium or nickel, among processes covered by the directive. This would mean that employers must apply protective measures when welding.

Substances such as cobalt are used in several sectors of strategic importance to reach the goals set out in the European Green Deal and the EU Climate Law. They are critical for sectors central to the industrial transition, including batteries and advanced manufacturing. The enhancement of international strategic autonomy in raw materials is one of the priorities of the European Union. Moreover, there is clearly a need to avoid relocating cobalt-processing activities to non-EU countries with weaker occupational safety standards.

Given the rapidly evolving geopolitical situation and its potential effects on supply chains and strategic dependencies, the Commission should regularly reassess substances such as cobalt. Building on these assessments, and in consultation with social partners and Member States, the Commission should consider targeted and limited exemptions to existing or new OELs. Such exemptions must be strictly limited to activities where these substances remain essential for the Union’s strategic interests, and workers’ protection must always remain the highest priority.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel are particularly exposed to complex mixtures of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances. The WHO now classifies firefighters’ occupational exposure as carcinogenic. Therefore, we need specific risk assessments, adequate protective measures, and targeted medical surveillance for these high-risk workers.

Reliable EU-wide data on exposures to substances such as cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, isoprene and 1,4-dioxane remain limited. The Commission should develop guidelines and recommendations to improve national data collection and exposure registries. Enhanced EU guidance should also support labour inspectors and enterprises, particularly SMEs and microenterprises, in applying the directive effectively. This includes guidance on welding fumes and similar exposure processes, building on existing tools such as the SLIC guidance from 2018, ensuring that monitoring is evidence-based and enforcement consistent.

A strong social dialogue is essential for effective implementation. Social partners are indispensable in identifying risks, designing practical prevention measures and ensuring realistic application across sectors. Obligations must remain achievable for SMEs and microenterprises, which often operate with limited financial and technical capacity. Member States should assess administrative impacts and provide targeted support without compromising equal protection for all workers. I have introduced a clear right for workers to take proportionate and regular breaks when using protective equipment, reflecting both safety and well-being considerations.

Gender differences in exposure patterns, physiological responses and health outcomes remain insufficiently integrated into occupational safety research. Therefore, we need to systematically incorporate a gender perspective in future assessments.

Training requirements are crucial to ensure that workers receive clear, up-to-date information whenever new risks arise, including handling multiple hazardous substances or hazardous medicinal products. This approach ensures training is directly relevant to the tasks performed and the risks encountered.

This revision represents a decisive step in preventing occupational cancers and other long-term health effects across the European Union. It strengthens scientific integrity, legal certainty and protection for workers in high-risk sectors while supporting Europe’s industrial resilience and strategic autonomy. It ensures that SMEs are supported in applying the rules while maintaining equal protection standards for all workers. Above all, this revision reaffirms the fundamental principle that every worker in the European Union has the right to a safe, healthy and sustainable working environment.