23/10/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 23 October, the EU Council formally adopted the new rules on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos in the workplace (see EUROPE 13263/14). The new rules set the limit for occupational exposure to asbestos at 0.01 asbestos fibres per cm³ with no transition period, compared with the current limit of 0.1. 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 set out high-quality training requirements for workers. Link to the revised directive: https://aeur.eu/f/97b (SP)