Brussels, 06/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's committee on employment and social affairs adopted, on Thursday 6 December, a new legislative proposal aimed at establishing protection mechanisms and new maximum levels of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
After the EU Council, which adopted general guidelines on the draft directive early October (see EUROPE 10703), MEPs approved, on Thursday, a text prepared by the rapporteur, Elisabeth Morin Chartier (EPP, France) by 36 votes to 2. The text sets out the rules that would apply to all sectors of activity, except for those where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used. Another derogation is foreseen for the defence sector and was initiated by NATO. The military should thus have the right to use a protection system adapted to specific working conditions (for example, radar), but also in the field of military operations.
MEPs suggest that maximum exposure values to electromagnetic fields should be based on the new, more protective recommendations of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (CIPRNI). It is up to employers to evaluate exposure risks and to set measures in place to mitigate those risks. In the event of authorised limits being exceeded, employers should remedy this by modifying the organisation of work or making technical adjustments.
Finally, the parliamentary committee calls on the European Commission and on member states to rapidly examine the long-term effects on the health of workers exposed to electromagnetic fields. If a health risk can be proven, then the Commission should present a new legislative proposal, they say. (JK/transl.jl)