Commission approves EU rule revision for asbestos to improve worker protection

The European Parliament and Member States have decided to revise the EU Directive on asbestos at work, with the goal of improving worker safety and achieving an asbestos-free future. Asbestos is a carcinogenic material present in many buildings that is responsible for many unnecessary deaths in the EU. During a transition phase, the new guidelines restrict worker exposure to 0.01 asbestos fibers per cubic centimeter, which is 10 times lower than the prior level. After this period, Member States will be able to select between 0.01 fibers per cm³ with thinner asbestos fibers and 0.002 fibers per cm³ without thinner asbestos fibers. The Commission will provide implementing guidelines for the revised Directive, which will cover current fiber-counting methodologies, training programs, and personal safety equipment. A transition time from phase-contrast microscopy to electron microscopy is also included in the agreement. Member States will have two years after approval to adopt the EU Directive into national legislation.