The European Commission has proposed to amend the Carcinogen and Mutagen Directive (CMD) by broadening its scope and by adding and revising occupational exposure limit values for a number of cancer- or mutation-causing substances. The initiative is proceeding in several steps with the first batch adopted in 2017, covering 13 chemical agents.

On 11 December, the 2nd batch of the CMD was adopted by the European Parliament and approved by the Council on 20 December 2018. The act was signed on 16 January, published in the Official Journal on 31 January 2019 and entered into force on 20 February 2019. EU Member states have to transpose the Directive within two years of the date of its entry into force.

The legislation sets exposure limit values and skin notations for eight additional carcinogens, diesel fumes were added by the EP. The limit values for the substances are the following:

• 4,4'-methylenedianiline - 0.08 mg/m
• epichlorohydrine - 1.9 mg/m
• ethylene dibromide - 0.8 mg/m
• ethylene dichloride - 8.2 mg/m
• trichloroethylene - 54,7 mg/m, and diesel - 0.05mg/m.
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mixtures and mineral oils that have been used before in internal combustion engines to lubricate and cool the moving parts within the engine - No limit values but a skin notation is assigned.

Article 13a was added concerning the social partners’ agreement, meaning that the NEPSI agreement will be prolonged.

A third and possibly a fourth batch are forthcoming. The third batch includes five substances, with the first reading in the Parliament planned for March 2019. On 29 January 2019, the Parliament and the Romanian Presidency reached a provisional agreement which will now be examined by the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee for approval. The fourth batch is awaiting a proposal from the Commission. Read more on the second batch here and the third batch here and here.