New chemicals rules: impact in your organisation

The new legislation comes as Europe seeks to further protect workers’ health. New studies show that certain chemicals are harmful and can cause cancer, trigger allergies or hypersensitivity, or be harmful to reproduction, among other things. Several changes were therefore made at the European level. You can read about the most important ones below.

Stricter rules for diisocyanates

The permissible exposure to so-called diisocyanates is gradually reduced. Diisocyanates are chemicals commonly found in foams (insulation, mattresses), lacquers, paints, adhesives, and coatings. They can cause strong allergic reactions, especially in the respiratory tract. All diisocyanates have a so-called NCO group in their chemical formula. It is used in the definition of the new limits.

The permissible exposure is reduced in two steps:

• Until the end of 2028

  • 10 µg NCO/m³ (average over 8 hours)

  • 20 µg NCO/m³ (short exposure)

• As from 2029

  • 6 µg NCO/m³ (average over 8 hours)

  • 12 µg NCO/m³ (short exposure)

Lower limits for lead

Lead is mainly found in old paint, batteries, and is common in metalworking. Too long and high exposure to lead can result in lead poisoning. It affects the nervous system and kidneys, and can be dangerous for reproduction. So there, too, the limits are being restricted to minimise the risk among workers.

• Maximum exposure in air is reduced to 0.03 mg/m³ (averaged over 8 hours)

• Blood lead levels are also monitored more strictly:

  • Until the end of 2028: max. 30 µg/100 ml of blood

  • From 2029: max. 15 µg/100 ml of blood

❗An even stricter limit applies for women of childbearing age. Their lead levels must remain as low as possible; no higher than the biological reference value of 4.5 μg/100 ml of blood.

Greater focus on ‘invisible’ chemical risks

The legislation looks not only at substances you purchase, but also at substances (agents) created during the work process, so-called process-generated substances, including welding smoke, heating fumes, or chemical reactions during production. A list of carcinogenic process-generated substances already existed. As of now, potentially mutagenic process-generated substances (substances that can damage genetic material) are also listed.

New classifications in the limit value list of hazardous substances

To date, the limit value list for hazardous substances only indicated carcinogenic substances with a letter “C” for carcinogen. The other CMRE substances were not previously identified; this is now the case:

• C = carcinogenic (causes cancer)

• M = mutagenic

• R = reprotoxic (harmful to reproduction)

• E = endocrine disrupting

In the new version of the list of limit values, all CMRE substances are designated with the notation “VI.2” or “VI.2 (N)”, referring to Book VI, Title 2 of the Codex, which deals specifically with these substances. The letter (N) relates to the precise hazard classification of the substance.

What does this mean for you as an employer?

Do you work with chemicals, including lead or diisocyanates?

• update your chemical risk assessment if necessary

• check whether exposure remains below the new limits. This can be done by taking exposure measurements.

In addition, always ensure adequate preventive protection and appropriate working methods. Also follow up on the medical monitoring of your employees and make sure they’re familiar with and recognise the necessary risks by providing sufficient information and training courses.