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Protection of workers from risks related to exposure to asbestos at work

Employment and social affairs

The aim of this initiative is to improve workers health and safety by revising the Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work, taking into account the latest scientific and technical developments.

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Public consultation

ID: 12756

Lobbying Activity

26 responses

ETUC demands stricter asbestos limits to protect European workers

EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION, 21 Mar 2022

The ETUC proposes a strict exposure limit and mandatory screening before building renovations. They demand better training for construction workers and a ban on sealing asbestos.
This proposal would reduce cancer risks for millions of vulnerable European workers.
Building owners and employers would face higher costs for compliance and inspections.

Consultation response

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, 16 Mar 2022

WKÖ Draft Input on Roadmap for revised OEL for asbestos We welcome the opportunity to voice our opinion and concerns on the occasion of the call for evidence for an impact assessment on a proposal for a Directive on protecting workers from asbestos exposure. In our opinion, the current EU legal…

Consultation response

Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks e.V., 22 Mar 2022

ZDH is of the opinion that the current EU legal framework is sufficient, both in terms of REACH Annex XVII restrictions as well as in terms of occupational safety and health legislation. The EU Commission's impact assessment correctly recognises that the main risk from asbestos is in the HANDLING…

Consultation response

Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V., 21 Mar 2022

Stellungnahme zum beabsichtigten Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission zur Änderung der Richtlinie über Asbest am Arbeitsplatz (2009/148/EG) Wir begrüßen den beabsichtigten Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission zur Verbesserung des Schutzes der Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer vor Gefährdungen…

Consultation response

European Federation of Public Service Unions, 21 Mar 2022

EPSU is the European Federation of Public Services Unions and represents 8 million workers across Europe, including firefighters and emergency services. Considering this, we believe that we need a binding legislative initiative at EU level and we urge the European Commission to move forward with…

EFBWW Urges EU Strategy to Remove All Asbestos

EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF BUILDING AND WOODWORKERS, 22 Mar 2022

The federation calls for a comprehensive European strategy to eliminate asbestos from buildings. They request mandatory digital registries and lower exposure limits to better protect workers.
Strict common standards would create a level playing field for competition across Europe.
Property owners and sellers face higher costs for mandatory screenings and potential fines.

Ceemet urges implementation time for stricter worker asbestos limits

Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based Industries, 1 Dec 2022

Ceemet requests a reasonable implementation period for the proposed exposure limits. They insist limits must be measurable with existing equipment and sector guidelines. The organization demands a distinction for naturally occurring asbestos.
A transition period would reduce the immediate technical and financial burden on employers.
Workers may face prolonged exposure to higher asbestos levels during the transition.

Consultation response

European Construction Industry Federation, 22 Mar 2022

Please find enclosed the contribution from FIEC, the European Construction Industry Federation.

Consultation response

Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based Industries, 22 Mar 2022

Introduction The revision, or setting of, Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) and Biological Limit Values (BLVs) for substances must be done based on sound scientific evidence and via social partner consultation. A careful impact assessment must be made on forthcoming proposals for substances…

Consultation response

Confartigianato Imprese, 18 Mar 2022

CONSIDERAZIONI SULLO STATO ATTUALE L’attività di mappatura ha avuto un discreto esito, anche a seguito della facilità con cui è possibile indagare la presenza di amianto negli edifici (prevalentemente si evidenzia negli elementi di copertura, nei rivestimenti degli impianti tecnologici e nei…

Consultation response

3M, 22 Mar 2022

3M welcomes this initiative of the European Commission to further protect workers from asbestos exposure and promote occupational health and safety. While reviewing Directive 2009/148/EC, we wish the EU legislators to consider the following policy actions: • Promote fit testing to help protect…

European Builders Confederation urges keeping current asbestos exposure limits

European Builders Confederation, 22 Mar 2022

The organization argues the current exposure limit is sufficient and should not be modified. They suggest focusing on better training schemes and harmonizing inspection tools instead.
Small construction firms would avoid significant financial risks and expensive equipment upgrades.
Homeowners face higher costs, potentially discouraging them from removing asbestos from buildings.

Medical oncologists urge EU to adopt stricter asbestos limits

European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), 29 Nov 2022

ESMO requests setting the exposure limit at 0.001 fibres per cubic centimetre to better protect workers. They argue this is necessary to meet the goals of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
This move would fulfill their core objective of improving cancer control across Europe.

German construction body urges practical guides over asbestos limits

Zentralverband Deutsches Baugewerbe, 18 Mar 2022

The ZDB argues that existing rules are sufficient and that stricter limits do not guarantee better protection. They recommend non-legislative tools like technical guides and awareness campaigns to help small businesses.
This would reduce compliance costs and prevent specialized companies from monopolizing small renovation jobs.
Workers may remain exposed to higher concentrations of hazardous fibers without updated legal limits.

Consultation response

Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungs- und Immobilienunternehmen, 22 Mar 2022

Die Wohnungswirtschaft sieht die Gefahren eines unsachgemäßen Umgangs mit asbesthaltigen Baustoffen und daraus ggf. folgender Exposition. Im Bewusstsein der Verantwortung und mit hohem organisatorischen und finanziellen Aufwand werden seit Jahren Konzepte zur Risikovermeidung, zur Information und…

French Building Federation backs harmonized asbestos exposure limits

Fédération Française du Bâtiment, 1 Dec 2022

The group supports lowering limits to 0.01 f/cm³ but rejects stricter thresholds as unworkable. They also demand harmonized detection methods and standardized safety equipment rules.
EU-wide alignment prevents competitive disadvantages while blocking even more expensive regulations.
Property owners would face mandatory detection costs and fines for non-compliance.

French building federation warns against lowering asbestos exposure limits

Fédération Française du Bâtiment, 22 Mar 2022

FFB warns that lowering the exposure limit below 10 fibers per liter is not technically possible. They request harmonized methods for fiber detection and respiratory protection factors across Europe. They also propose making building owners responsible for finding asbestos before work starts.
This avoids operational impossibility and the considerable technical and economic impacts of stricter limits.
Workers lose the benefit of stricter health protections if exposure limits remain higher.

Consultation response

Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics, 15 Mar 2022

Option législative : Nous proposons de conserver la VLEP (valeur limite d’exposition professionnelle) française à 10 f/L (fibres/Litre). En effet, celle-ci intègre les contraintes actuelles de réalisation des mesures du niveau d’empoussièrement sur les chantiers amiante tout en visant une réduction…

European Safety Federation urges mandatory respirator fit testing

European Safety Federation, 1 Dec 2022

The federation calls for mandatory respiratory face fit testing and specialized training for those using protective gear. They urge lawmakers to provide incentives and time for industry to adapt to new limits.
Stricter safety mandates will increase sales of high-quality protective equipment and specialized training services.
Building owners face rising costs, potentially leading them to bypass certified removal specialists to save money.

Consultation response

Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.V., 30 Nov 2022

Die Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV) ist der Spitzenverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften und der Unfallversicherungsträger der öffentlichen Hand. Er nimmt die gemeinsamen Interessen seiner Mitglieder wahr und fördert deren Aufgaben zum Wohl der Versicherten und der…

Consultation response

Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.V., 22 Mar 2022

Die „Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung“ (DGUV) ist der Spitzenverband der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften und der Unfallversicherungsträger der öffentlichen Hand. Er nimmt die gemeinsamen Interessen seiner Mitglieder wahr und fördert deren Aufgaben zum Wohl der Versicherten und der…

Senior Corporate Silver Spoon urges reclassifying asbestos proposal

Senior Corporate Silver Spoon, Environment & Nature Association/Ezüstkanál Nyugdíjas Társasági, Környezet- és természetvédelmi Egyesület, 7 Oct 2022

The organization claims the current classification under employment and social affairs is incorrect. They propose moving the initiative to the field of environmental protection science.
This shift would prioritize the association's specific expertise in environmental management.

Consultation response

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, 22 Mar 2022

Recommendations We are conscious that reviewing or developing regulations for managing asbestos in the workplace -while necessary-, will not solely provide the solution to this occupational issue. In addition to asbestos not being in general use in the EU, this needs to be encompassed by a set of…

Consultation response

EUROPEAN NETWORK OF SAFETY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS E.V., 16 Mar 2022

On behalf of the Danish Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine for the EU-process on asbestos: Although a revised OEL is of importance mostly as a signal that asbestos is an important occupational problem, in our experience other tools are probably of greater importance. No matter the…

Consultation response

Asociatia Principia, 11 Mar 2022

How hard is it for you to read your own documents? In the Report of 30.01.2013 on asbestos related occupational health threats and prospects for abolishing all existing asbestos (2012/2065 (INI) https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-7-2013-0025_EN.html), rapporteur mr. Stephen Hughes,…

Consultation response

Senior Corporate Silver Spoon, Environment & Nature Association/Ezüstkanál Nyugdíjas Társasági, Környezet- és természetvédelmi Egyesület, 6 Mar 2022

Dear European Commisssion, Dear Lady/Sir, Asbestos 06032022 After reading this Call for Opinions, please provide the professional opinions of our Association below: For the Call for Opinions on "Health and Safety at Work - Protecting Workers from Exposure to Asbestos ", our Association’s…