The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations 2024 implement Directive (EU) 2022/431. This Directive amends Directive 2004/37/EC, which focuses on safeguarding workers from risks associated with exposure to carcinogens or mutagens in the workplace.
Directive 2022/431 introduces reprotoxic substances as a new category of chemicals to be regulated. Reprotoxic substances refer to chemicals that can impact fertility, sexual function, or have adverse effects on the offspring of workers. Previously, these substances were regulated under Directive 98/24/EC, known as the Chemical Agents Directive. However, it was deemed more appropriate to subject them to the stricter regulation.
These regulations are designed to ensure that employers take appropriate measures to prevent or minimise workers' exposure to substances that are known to cause cancer (carcinogens), genetic mutations (mutagens), or adverse effects on reproductive health (reprotoxic substances).
