European Commission promotes stronger protection for workers through new guidelines.

On 18 December, the European Commission adopted new Guidelines as well as an updated Recommendation on occupational diseases. These measures are accompanied by a Commission Communication that places them within the EU strategic framework on occupational safety and health and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The aim is to support the implementation of the revised Asbestos Directive adopted in 2023 and thereby provide better protection across Europe for workers against the still significant health risks posed by asbestos.

Asbestos-related risks remain an issue in everyday working life

Despite its EU-wide ban, asbestos continues to pose a major health risk. Asbestos-related diseases often occur decades after exposure and account for a substantial share of occupational cancers. The Communication addresses this issue and underlines the importance of EU-wide guidelines. These are intended in particular to support small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the majority of affected companies.

Support for the implementation of the Asbestos Directive

The Guidelines for managing asbestos related health and safety risks at work are intended to provide practical support for the implementation of the revised Asbestos Directive. They take into account the fact that, despite the ban, asbestos is still present in many buildings, infrastructures, machines and natural deposits. As a result, millions of workers are potentially exposed, especially in the construction, renovation, demolition, waste management, transport and emergency services sectors.

The Guidelines provide practical advice on the systematic identification, assessment and minimisation of asbestos-related risks. In addition to recommendations for action, key elements include case studies from the Member States.

Updated EU list of occupational diseases

In parallel with the guidelines, the Commission has updated its Recommendation concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases, replacing the previous 2022 recommendation. Newly included are, among others, asbestos-related cancer of the larynx, ovarian cancer, pleural plaques with functional lung impairment, and non-malignant pleural effusion. In addition, the supplementary list has been expanded to include further cancers with a suspected link to asbestos, including colon, rectal and stomach cancer. These changes are intended to achieve more uniform recognition across Member States and improved access to compensation benefits for affected workers.

Proposal on asbestos screening still pending

Despite the important improvements for the protection of workers, a key element announced for years remains unaddressed: a legislative proposal for the systematic screening and registration of asbestos in buildings. Although internal preparatory processes within the Commission were already well advanced in 2024, the von der Leyen II Commission has so far provided no new information on the next steps towards an EU-wide asbestos screening system.