“Updated EU law will ensure a cancer free working environment,” said MEP Francis Zammit Dimech

He said that “cancer is linked to more than half of work-related deaths in the EU. At the European Parliament, I have worked to strengthen EU legislation to protect people from carcinogens in the workplace. Member States now need to do their part and assist the industry to implement such laws in the best interest of all workers.”

The MEP made these remarks after the European Parliament adopted an updated law on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work, with 586 votes in favour, 10 against and 26 abstentions.

He explained that the Directive will be improving protection of workers against substances causing cancer at work place. It introduces stricter limit values for exposure of workers to five substances causing cancer including Cadnium, Formaldehyde and arsenic acid.

Zammit Dimech served as the EPP Group Rapporteur on this issue in the Committee on Legal Affairs and said that the fight against cancer will continue to be a top priority for him at the European Parliament.

The MEP added that these chemicals are used in various work places including laboratories, electronics, construction, healthcare, plastics, glass and waste management among others, and thus, this move will prevent risks for thousands of workers. .

Zammit Dimech concluded by saying that there should be a continuous effort across the EU in terms of research, to identify further substances causing cancer and to update legislation accordingly.

Permalink: Update to EU law “will ensure a cancer free working environment”