#CMRD #Exposure limits #CMR
A proposal for the CMRD Directive has appeared on the Commission’s website, which proposes to set new limits for exposure to certain chemical compounds. Once approved, member states will have 2 years to implement the rules into national law.
The European Commission has proposed the sixth revision of the CMRD Directive, on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances. The amendments include updating Annexes I, III and IIIa to the Directive by adding new substances and adapting existing limit values to improve the safety of workers in the workplace.
This new initiative updates Annexes I, III and IIIa to the Directive by adding new substances and adapting existing limit values.
The proposed changes include setting new exposure limits for:
| Chemical compound | Proposed limit | Transition period | Industry |
| Cobalt and its inorganic compounds | 0.01 mg/m³ for particles that can be inhaled through the nose and mouth, and 0.0025 mg/m³ for finer particles that can reach deeper into the lungs | 6 years with values of 0.02 mg/m³ and 0.0042 mg/m³ | Batteries, electric vehicles, magnets and hard metals production |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | 0,00007 mg/m³ | 6 lat z wartościami 0,00014 mg/m³ | Steel, iron and aluminium production, welding fumes |
| 1,4-dioxane | Long-term exposure: 7.3 mg/m³, short-term: 73 mg/m³ | – | Solvent in chemical and textile production and detergents |
It is worth noting that PAHs are substances subject to REACH restrictions and 1,4-dioxane is one of the substances of very high concern, included in the list of substances for possible inclusion in Annex XIV.
Another change is the inclusion of welding fumes in the CMRD Directive and the obligation to use protective measures by workers exposed to smoke.
In addition, the Commission has proposed markings and warnings for workers about possible exposure, as well as an indication of when additional personal protective equipment is necessary.
What does that mean?
- Verification of workplaces where workers are exposed to hazardous substances
- Additional obligations for employers to monitor, assess and mitigate risks
- Update of data in section 8 of the safety data sheet
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_1864