European Commission prepares guidelines.

Despite various measures being taken by the European Union (EU), 78 per cent of occupational cancer cases are still attributable to asbestos exposure. Although asbestos is no longer used in the construction of buildings, many renovation and demolition projects in the Member States will continue to expose workers to this substance in the coming years. Comprehensive protection for employees is therefore indispensable. The European Commission has also recognised this and adjusted the exposure limits for asbestos last year. The Member States shall implement the Amendment to the Asbestos at Work Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/2668) by 21 December 2025.

New guideline to facilitate practical application

The European Commission is working on a guideline for the implementation of the Asbestos at Work Directive to specifically support Member States as well as small and medium-sized enterprises with the practical application of the Directive. Its aim is to advise employees, employers, occupational health and safety services and other groups of people, who come into contact with asbestos in the workplace, on avoiding and reducing occupational exposure to asbestos. The guideline is to be finalised by the end of 2025.

The highest level of protection throughout the EU

EU guidelines from 2012, which are to be updated to include new scientific, technical and legal findings, serve as the basis. Orientation guides that will help to improve compliance with existing legislation and the dissemination of evaluated procedures in the EU are also being developed. They are primarily intended to help employers and Member States to inform employees about the necessary precautionary measures, thus achieving the highest level of protection.

Although the use and placing on the market of products containing asbestos has been banned since 2005, employees still come into contact with these substances. Therefore, appropriate training prior to construction, renovation and demolition work is essential. Questions concerning the applicable regulations, for instance, the instruction and use of personal protective equipment should therefore also be covered by the guidelines.

Exchange with experts

To support the external service provider (RPA Europe Prague s.r.o. (RPA Prague) and Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (RPA Ltd)), which is responsible for drawing up the guideline, the European Commission sought experts from various fields in the autumn. In online workshops, they dealt with various issues. This is because asbestos is not only found in the construction industry, but also in waste disposal, fire-fighting or as building materials of ships and trains. Employees can therefore come into contact with asbestos in all areas in which materials containing asbestos are used.

An International online conference at the end of November also contributed to the exchange of experiences in the field of asbestos exposure in the workplace. In addition to legal and enforcement aspects, the most important challenges and possible solutions were discussed. The event was rounded off by a lively exchange with representatives of the Member States, employers and employees, as well as international guests. The latter presented solutions from the International Labour Organisation, for example from Australia or Canada.

Steps to completion

The service provider plans to prepare a first draft of the guidelines in the coming months. Future users and interested parties can share their feedback during a public consultation. The European Commission is also looking for participants for pilot projects. They are intended to test the practical application of the guideline prior to its publication.