The proposed EMF Directive deals with health and safety at work, and will apply to work activities where workers may be exposed to acute risks from electromagnetic fields. The aim of the EMF Directive is to establish minimum EMF safety standards common across all Member States of the European Union.
The original EMF Directive 'Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields)' was negotiated and agreed in 2004. Member States originally had until 30 April 2008 to implement the Directive into domestic law.
Following adoption the Directive in 2004, concerns were raised that the Directive contained disproportionate requirements and was overly burdensome. As a result, the implementation of the original Directive was postponed until April 2012 (this has since been postponed further until October 2013). The aim is to provide time for a sensible new proposal to be developed and agreed.
In June 2011, the European Commission l published a new proposal for an EMF Directive to replace the original Directive. This new proposal is currently being negotiated by Member States and the European Parliament.
Following agreement of any proposal, Member States are given a set amount of time (normally two years) to tranpose the Directive into national law.
Information on progress with negotiations to agree a new Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Directive can accessed via HSE’s Euronews site.
For more information on electromagnetic fields, please see our FAQs page.
Keep Your Top On
Sun protection: advice for employers of outdoor workers
Reducing health risks from the use of ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment
Social media
Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.
Follow HSE on Twitter:
Follow @H_S_E