EMPL Committee of the European Parliament votes to limit the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)

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(28 September 2021)  WE MADE IT!
 
On Monday morning the EMPL Committee of the European Parliament has voted to limit the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) which determines the number of asbestos fibres per m3 air allowed in workplaces without dedicated protection measures. The current EU minimum standard is set at 100.000 f/m3 (0.1 f/cm3). Scientific and medical experts agree: This OEL is by far outdated. With the vote yesterday, the European Parliament voted to lower that limit to 1000 fibres/m3 (0,001 fibres/cm3).
 
This is only the first step, this vote needs to be confirmed in plenary by the EP and remains, for now, a political indication. The European Commission will, indeed, publish a proposal for a revision of the current legislation in 2022. Only a week ago the EU Commission wrote to the Rapporteur in the EP suggesting to take out the reference of 1000 fibres/m3 and the EPP and ECR groups of the EU Parliament tabled amendments to delete this reference.
 
Under pressure from Unions, who joined a unified front, the Employment Committee voted in favour of a limit value of 1000 fibres/m3.

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