Directive 2022/431: what’s new?
On March 9th 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 5th 2024
- Starting from April 5th 2024 until April 5th 2026 the limit will be lowered to 0.5 ppm (1.65 mg/m3)
- As of April 5th 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 29th 2022 and Member States have until April 5th 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: