On Tuesday 6 October 2026, the European Parliament approved new rules aimed at improving the protection of workers against risks associated with exposure to carcinogens, mutagens, or substances toxic to reproduction in the workplace.

In addition to new exposure limits for chemicals, it also approved provisions regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) and reaffirmed its commitment to prevent, through new measures, approximately 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other diseases over a 40-year period.

Background

According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), approximately 80,000 people die each year as a result of occupational exposure to carcinogens.

As part of the sixth revision of Directive 2004/37/EC on carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic substances (CMRD), the Parliament and the Council are working together to update the occupational exposure limit values with the aim of preventing cancers within the European Union.

Rapporteur Liesbet Sommen, a member of the European People’s Party, stated in particular: “Every year, around 120,000 workers in the EU are diagnosed with occupational cancer linked to exposure to carcinogens at work. This is a preventable tragedy that we cannot accept”. In light of this, the Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on 24 June 2026 regarding exposure to dangerous chemicals.

What changes?

On 6 October, new rules aimed at strengthening worker protection against risks associated with exposure to dangerous chemicals were officially approved by the European Parliament by a vote of 499 in favor, 49 against, and 104 abstentions.

New exposure limit values

Consequently, new exposure limit values have been set for:

• cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, which are used in particular in the battery sector and whose consumption is expected to increase by approximately 330% by 2050 due to the green transition;
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly those containing benzo[a]pyrene, used in the production of steel, iron, and aluminum;
• 1,4-dioxane, used in chemical and textile production;
• isoprene, used in the chemical and rubber industries, for which it has been agreed to establish an occupational exposure limit value for long-term exposure only.

Tables detailing the new exposure limit values are available at the end of the text setting out the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading on 6 October 2026. Regarding substances contained in welding fumes, the Commission will need to assess the need to set additional limit values.

Breaks and Personal Protective Equipment

Members of Parliament agreed that, “when wearing personal protective equipment, workers shall be entitled to regular breaks in an area where there is no risk of contamination by carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances. ”

Furthermore, “when exposure cannot be reduced to levels below the proposed limit values, the updated law clarifies rules on personal protective equipment, such as respiratory protective devices.”

Firefighters and Other Emergency Service Personnel

Certain workers, such as firefighters and other emergency service personnel, are exposed to various carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances as part of their work. As such, “It is therefore important that the employers of firefighters and other emergency services personnel assess and reduce the risk of exposure […] thereby reducing the risk of occupational diseases.”

Training for Employees Exposed to Hazardous Chemicals

Workers who are exposed or likely to be exposed to carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances—including those contained in certain hazardous medications—must receive “sufficient and appropriate training, on the basis of all available information.”

Member States will have a period of two years from the entry into force of the directive to transpose its provisions, with longer transition periods for certain occupational exposure limit values.

Sources:

• European Parliament press release “Updated rules to protect workers from exposure to dangerous chemicals,” October 6, 2026
• European Parliament press release “Deal to improve worker protection against exposure to dangerous chemicals,” June 24, 2026
• Text adopted on October 6, 2026, on the protection of workers against risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances at work