Directive (EU) 2024/869 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2024 amending Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 98/24/EC as regards the limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds and for diisocyanates

Directive 98/24/EC is amended as follows: (1) Annex I is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Directive; (2) in Annex II, points 1, 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are deleted.

‘8 No later than 30 June 2024, the Commission shall initiate an assessment of the effects of exposure to a combination of substances with a view to preparing Union guidelines thereon where appropriate. The Commission shall take into account the latest developments in scientific knowledge, the opinion of the Committee for Risk Assessment of the European Chemicals Agency established by Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council , the opinion of the ACSH and the best practices in the Member States, and shall conduct appropriate consultations of relevant stakeholders. Those guidelines shall be published on the EU-OSHA website and disseminated in all Member States by the relevant competent authorities.

9 No later than 9 April 2026, the Commission shall initiate the procedure to obtain a scientific assessment of endocrine disruptors that can affect the health and safety of workers, with a view to evaluating the appropriateness of including them within the scope of this Directive in order to better protect the health and safety of workers. Where appropriate the Commission shall, after consulting the ACSH, submit a legislative proposal.

10 In the context of its evaluation pursuant to Article 17a(4) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the Commission shall, no later than 9 April 2029, assess the occupational limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds. Where appropriate, the Commission shall, taking into account the latest developments in scientific knowledge and after consulting the ACSH, submit a legislative proposal to amend those limit values.

11 No later than 9 April 2026, the Commission shall, after appropriate consultation of relevant stakeholders, draw up Union guidelines for health surveillance, including biological monitoring. Those guidelines shall include advice on the implementation of provisions regarding blood lead level, taking into account the slow removal of lead from the body and the special protection of female workers of childbearing age.

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 9 April 2026. They shall immediately inform the Commission thereof. When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main measures of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.