Health and Safety Executive

Proposed directive amending the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (2004/37/EC)

Government department lead

HSE

Background

The European Commission is proposing an amendment to the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (2004/37/EC).  This Directive consolidated the Carcinogens Directive (90/394/EEC) with subsequent amendments.  Social Partner consultation occurred in 2004 and 2007. The Commission has subsequently engaged a contractor to undertake a scoping study concerning future amendments.

Main provisions

The tender document for the scoping study contract requested the contractor to consider the following areas:

  1. Introduction of a system for setting occupational exposure limits (OELs) based on objective risk criteria.
  2. Assessment of the requirements for prevention of risk of exposure.
  3. Possible addition of four process-generated substances to Annex I (a substance to be considered as carcinogenic).
  4. Revised OELs for two substances in Annex III (Limit values for occupational exposure).
  5. Addition of further substances to Annex III.

Next steps

Once the contractor has reported its findings back to the Commission, the latter will publish a draft text of a Directive. HSE will then start negotiations and undertake the preparation of a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Directgov - Business Link

Updated 14.12.10