Brussels, 14/09/2005 (Agence Europe) -Reacting to the vote of the European Parliament on the highly controversial proposed directive on the exposure of workers to optic rays (see, amongst others, EUROPE 9024 and 9022), the European Commissioner for Social Affairs, Vladimir Spidla, has decided to go along with the opinion of the MEPs, and has announced his intention to withdraw sun rays from the scope of the proposed directive. In this way, the directive will cover the health and safety of workers exposed only to artificial radiation. Mr Spidla will put this proposal on the table of the College next week, and hopes that this will help to create "a solid basis for a compromise between the Council and the Parliament". "Europe needs standards for health and safety in the workplace. I feel that there are some very good reasons to make workers aware of the dangers of sun exposure. However, the EP felt that this was over-regulation. The Commission therefore intends to send out a clear signal, proving that it is seriously in favour of a better regulation", said Mr Spidla.