OBJECTIVE: to amend for the second time Directive 90/394/EEC to introduce new standards for
the protection of workers against some carcinogens not already covered by the current directive.
SUBSTANCE: The amendments concern the following aspects:
- provision of appropriate standards of protection are provided against the risk from mutagenic
substances not already covered by Directive 90/394/EEC but likely to show carcinogenic effects
(category 1 and 2 substances from Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC),
- measures to address the question of carcinogenicity of wood dusts (oak and beech) with a view to
their inclusion in Directive 90/394/EEC and to clarify how the provisions of that directive could be
applied to wood dusts (the Commission proposes in particular to set a limit value of 5 mg/m3 for
exposure, as an appropriate indication of minimum standards for good technological practice, and
provides for this standard to be reviewed within five years to align it with the most recent scientific
data),
- consolidation in Directive 90/394/EEC of the existing directives on carcinogens at the workplace,
in particular vinyl chloride monomer (more specifically, to include in Directive 90/394/EEC the
revised lower limit values from Directive 78/610/EEC, which will be reviewed within five years in
the light of scientific progress; consequently, Directive 78/610/EEC will be repealed). However, the
directive on asbestos (83/477/EEC) will not be incorporated into Directive 90/394/EEC owing to the
specificity of this carcinogen. The Commission thus plans to delay the inclusion of the provisions of
that directive in Directive 90/394/EEC.
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