Revised Carcinogens Directive possible

A revised Carcinogens Directive could be on the horizon if the European Commission follows through on a proposal by the European Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at Work (ACSH).

On 5 December 2012, the ACSH recommended a new Carcinogen Directive (2004/37/EC) which would incorporate new occupational exposure limit values (OELV).

If the proposal is adopted by the Commission, 10 new substances would be added to the list of occupational carcinogens for which a mandatory OELV applies. Currently there are just three substances on the list — vinyl chloride monomer, benzene and hardwood dust.

The new proposed substances are crystalline silica, refractory ceramic fibres, chromium VI and trichloroethylene, hydrazine, acrylamide, epichlorohydrin, 1,2-dibromoethane, methylenedianiline (MDA) and wood dust.

However, controversially, the ACSH did not include reprotoxins (substances which are toxic to reproductive health) in its list. It is expected to revisit, and hopefully correct this during 2013.

In any event, it is hoped that the adoption of this opinion will spur the Commission into proposing a revised Carcinogens Directive to the European Parliament and Council.

The last amendment was in 1999 and, given the vast quantities of scientific data made available since then, an update was expected as long ago as 2004.

Even if the Commission follows ACSH’s lead, it is unlikely that there will be a new directive in force before 2015.