19.12.2009   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 338/87

(1)

Pursuant to Directive 98/24/EC, the Commission is to propose European objectives in the form of indicative occupational exposure limit values (IOELVs) for the protection of workers from chemical risks, to be set at Community level.

(2)

In carrying out this task, the Commission is assisted by the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents (SCOEL) set up by Commission Decision 95/320/EC (2).

(3)

IOELVs are health-based, non-binding values, derived from the most recent scientific data available and taking into account the availability of measurement techniques. They set threshold levels of exposure below which, in general, no detrimental effects are expected for any given substance after short-term or daily exposure over a working life time. They constitute European objectives to assist employers in determining and assessing risks, in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 98/24/EC.

(4)

For any chemical agent for which an IOELV is established at Community level, Member States are required to establish a national occupational exposure limit value taking into account the Community limit value, but may determine its nature in accordance with national legislation and practice.

(5)

IOELVs should be regarded as an important part of the overall approach to ensuring that the health of workers is protected against the risks arising from hazardous chemicals.

(6)

Results of the risk assessments and risk reduction strategies developed in the framework of Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances (3) show the need for the establishment or revision of occupational exposure limit for a number of substances.

(7)

Commission Directive 91/322/EEC (4) as amended by Directive 2006/15/EC (5) contains occupational exposure limits for 10 substances and remains in force.

(8)

A first and a second list of IOELVs were established by Commission Directives 2000/39/EC (6) and 2006/15/EC under Directive 98/24/EC. This Directive establishes a third list of IOELVs under Directive 98/24/EC.

(9)

In accordance with Article 3 of Directive 98/24/EC, SCOEL has assessed 19 substances, which are listed in the Annex to this Directive. One of these substances, phenol, was previously listed in the Annex to Directive 2000/39/EC. SCOEL has reviewed the IOELV for this substance in the light of recent scientific data and recommended the establishment of a short-term exposure limit (STEL) to complement the existing time-weighted average (TWA) IOELV. Therefore, this substance, now listed in the Annex to this Directive, should be deleted from the Annex to Directive 2000/39/EC.

(10)

Mercury is a substance with potentially serious cumulative health effects. Therefore health surveillance including biological monitoring in accordance with Article 10 of Directive 98/24/EC should complement the IOELV.

(11)

It is also necessary to establish short-term exposure limit values for certain substances to take account of effects arising from short-term exposure.

(12)

For some substances, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of penetration through the skin in order to ensure the best possible level of protection.

(13)

This Directive should constitute a practical step towards consolidating the social dimension of the internal market.

(14)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 17 of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (7),