Directive 2022/431: new European occupational exposure limit values

Directive 2022/431: what’s new?

On March 9^th 2022 the European Directive 2022/431 has been published. This directive updates Annex III Directive 2004/37/CE, containing the occupational exposure limit values by adding new entries.

The thirteen substances added with Directive 2022/431 are the following:

• Acrylonitrile (CAS 107-13-1)
• Nickel compounds
• Inorganic lead and its compounds
• N,N-Dimethylacetamide (CAS 127-19-5)
• Nitrobenzene (CAS 98-95-3)
• N,N Dimethylformamide (CAS 68-12-2)
• 2-Methoxyethanol (CAS 109-86-4)
• 2-Methyoxyethyl acetate (CAS 110-49-6)
• 2-Ethoxy ethanol (CAS 110-80-5)
• 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate (CAS 111-15-9)
• 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (CAS 872-50-4)
• Mercury and divalent inorganic mercury compounds including mercuric oxide and mercuric chloride (measured as mercury)
• Bisphenol A (CAS 80-05-7)
• Carbon monoxide (CAS 630-08-0)

As regards Benzene (CAS 71-43-2), the exposure limit is modified by Directive 2022/431 due to the classification as a category 1A carcinogen and the possibility of skin absorption. However, the following transition scheme will be put in place:

• The current value of 1 ppm (3.25 mg/m³) required by Directive 2019/130 is maintained until April 5^th 2024
• Starting from April 5^th 2024 until April 5^th 2026 the limit will be lowered to 0.5 ppm (1.65 mg/m³)
• As of April 5^th 2026, the exposure limit will be lowered permanently to 0.2 ppm (0.66 mg/m³)

Directive 2022/431 will enter into force on March 29^th 2022 and Member States have until April 5^th 2024 to implement this update. Consequently, Trace One has already planned the future analysis in order to provide the data update in accordance with Directive 2022/431.

To read the full text of Directive 2022/431 follow the link:

• Directive 2022/431