CESI welcomes strengthened Carcinogens Directive

The revision of the EU Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (CMRD Directive), as negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council and now confirmed by both institutions, sets new harmonised limit values for exposure of workers to carcinogenic substances including, in particular,  polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

More specifically, the revised directive introduces a binding occupational exposure limit of 0.00007 mg/m³ for PAH mixtures, which is in line with the policy priorities that CESI advocated for towards the EU institutions during the negotiation phase of the revision.

The establishment of a common European standard is particularly important for firefighting and emergency services personnel engaged in cross-border training, mutual assistance and deployments, providing common minimum standards of protection across the Union.

As such, the revised Directive explicitly recognises the particular occupational risks faced by firefighters and emergency services personnel, including exposure to multiple hazardous substances during both fire and non-fire incidents such as PAHs.

CESI particularly welcomes the call for the EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), to consider, in cooperation with social partners and national authorities, developing a dedicated Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tool tailored to emergency services. Such a tool could provide fire services with practical guidance on identifying occupational hazards, assessing exposure risks and implementing preventive measures, supporting employers in fulfilling their obligations under the Directive. While its development is not mandatory, CESI considers the proposed tool a meaningful step towards addressing the particular occupational risks faced by firefighters.

CESI welcomes the amendment to Article 5 reinforcing the principle that personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used only as a last resort, where exposure cannot adequately be prevented or reduced through other protective measures. The Directive also establishes a new entitlement for workers wearing PPE to take regular breaks in areas free from contamination risks, with their duration and frequency determined in light of workplace risk assessments - which CESI appreciates.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: "The revision represents an important step towards strengthening occupational health and safety protections for firefighters and emergency services personnel. At the same time, the recognition of occupational risks must be accompanied by effective measures at the employee level. CESI therefore calls for continued cooperation between EU institutions, EU-OSHA, national authorities and social partners to develop practical guidance on combined chemical exposures and strengthen the application of existing prevention and medical surveillance requirements, particularly following significant exposure events."