On Thursday 18 December, the European Commission adopted guidelines to help Member States comply with the Directive on the exposure of workers to asbestos, as well as an updated recommendation listing more occupational diseases, including several types of cancer, in order to promote the right to compensation, according to a press release.
These new measures were promised at the conclusion of the trilogues on this directive, revised in 2023 (see EUROPE 13277/34).
Member States will have to transpose the directive by 21 December 2025. The documents had not been published at the time of going to press, but, according to the Commission’s press release, the guidelines contain practical advice for reducing exposure to asbestos in sectors such as construction, renovation and maintenance.
The Commission has also updated its recommendation on occupational diseases to promote uniform recognition of these diseases and speed up access to aid and compensation.
The following diseases have been added: cancer of the larynx, cancer of the ovary, pleural plaques with lung impairment, and non-malignant pleural effusion.
In addition, the Commission urges the Member States to take measures to ensure that workers suffering from colon, rectum or stomach cancer (added to Annex II) can receive compensation when a link to asbestos exposure at work is proven.
The Commission had promised a proposal in 2023 on the examination of buildings and the detection of asbestos, but has yet to present it.
Link to guidelines and recommendation: https://aeur.eu/f/k2m , https://aeur.eu/f/k2q (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)