Member States supported, as expected, on the evening of Friday 25 November, the draft general approach on the revision of the Directive on occupational exposure to asbestos (see EUROPE 13070/33). All Member States supported the text, which introduced a single method for calculating asbestos fibres, namely electron microscopy, as the main change. Member States will have a period of seven years to implement this measure and in the meantime may still use other techniques such as the phase contrast optical microscope. The general approach will be submitted for adoption to the EU Social Affairs and Employment Ministers on 8 December. (SP)