Thousands of workers across Europe are still exposed to cancer-causing substances every day. The upcoming trilogue negotiations on the revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD6) are a critical opportunity to strengthen protections and prevent deadly occupational diseases.
By including isoprene, a chemical linked to lung and liver cancer, the Council’s mandate, adopted this week, is a solid basis on which the European Parliament can build. Factory workers and health workers are some of those who would see their risk of contracting long and painful illnesses slashed.
Workers need the European Parliament to ensure ambitious, science-based limits on hazardous substances. The Parliament must use this opportunity to ensure that legislation keeps up with the risks that people face at work.
Key priorities for Parliament:
- Gender and vulnerable groups: Add explicit references to gender-specific impacts and vulnerable groups.
- Hazardous medicinal products: Include a legal definition of in the Directive itself to protect healthcare workers handling cytotoxic and other dangerous drugs.
- Firefighters: Recognise firefighters as a high-risk occupation in terms of cancer hazard, reflecting international recognition by the World Health Organisation of firefighting as a profession at risk of cancer.
Giulio Romani, ETUC Confederal Secretary, said:
“National governments have given a strong signal that measures are needed to stop people paying the ultimate price at work. Every day, workers are exposed to chemicals that can cause cancer, infertility, and other life-altering diseases. No one should have to risk their health or their life just to earn a living.
“The European Parliament must now lead with ambition to extend protections to as many workers in the EU as possible. This means standing up to industry pressure and ensuring that science, not lobbying, drives decision-making.
“We need a common-sense approach to stamping out work-related cancer. That means giving specific consideration to factors that increase risk – from gender-specific impacts to the vulnerability of certain groups. Strong, enforceable limits save lives. Parliament has the chance to make that happen.”
