EU tightens exposure levels

Last month the European Council gave the go-ahead for a revision to the carcinogens and mutagens directive that will set exposure limits for nickel compounds and acrylonitrile, which is used in textiles, plastics and rubber manufacturing. It will also lower the exposure limits for benzene. The new limits for these substances are all lower than the current UK workplace exposure limits (WELs) set out in EH40/2005 for use with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. COSHH requires exposure to these substances to be reduced to as low as is reasonably practicable (ALARP).

Twelve reprotoxic substances, chemicals which may interfere with the human reproductive system, will transfer from the chemical agents directive to this stricter directive. It will be renamed to include reproductive substances.

Since leaving the European Union (EU), Great Britain (GB) is no longer part of the EU exposure limit setting regime and there is no legal obligation to align with any revised EU limits. The HSE will continue to develop a domestic GB system for setting WELs during 2022/23. In the interim, it will consider limits set under the EU regime and apply them “as appropriate”.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2022/03/03/eu-strengthens-protection-of-workers-from-dangerous-chemicals/