03/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 3 October in Strasbourg, MEPs broadly endorsed the interinstitutional agreement reached before the summer on the revision of occupational exposure limit values for asbestos (see EUROPE 13245/22), by 614 votes to 2 with 4 abstentions. The rules set the limit for occupational exposure to asbestos at 0.01 asbestos fibres per cm³ with no transition period, compared with 0.1 at present. After a transition period of 6 years, Member States will have to use a more modern and accurate technology to detect fibres, namely electron microscopy, and lower the level to 0.002 asbestos fibres per cm³, excluding thin fibres, or 0.01 asbestos fibres per cm³, including thin fibres. The new rules will establish a list of ways of avoiding exposure and high-quality training requirements for workers. Links to adopted text: https://aeur.eu/f/8ug ; https://aeur.eu/f/8ue (SP)