Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work

This briefing focuses on the Impact Assessment (IA) accompanying the 6th revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive 2004/37/EC (CMRD). The IA states that more than 170,000 workers still lose their lives each year due to work-related illnesses. The IA identifies five problem drivers and details the consequences. The need for an added value EU action is explained in a subsidiarity grid. The general objective is broken into four specific objectives. The preferred options are expected to prevent ill-health cases over the next 40 years and to impact positively business as they will benefit from the cost saving from reduced ill-health. Social impacts, economic impacts, environmental impacts, and impacts on EU open strategic autonomy are also assessed. The IA carries out a SME test and provides a detailed monitoring plan. The legislative proposal is aligned with the IA.