SECTION I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Occupational exposure limit values and biolgocial limit values
Article 3
1
The Commission shall evaluate the relationship between the health effects of hazardous chemical agents and the level of occupational exposure by means of an independent scientific assessment of the latest available scientific data.
2
On the basis of the evaluation described in paragraph 1, the Commission, after first consulting the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health protection at Work, shall propose European objectives in the form of indicative occupational exposure limit values for the protection of workers from chemical risks, to be set at Community level.
The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 12a in order to supplement this Directive by establishing or revising the indicative occupational exposure limit values referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, taking into account the availability of measurement techniques.
Member States shall keep workers’ and employers’ organisations informed of indicative occupational exposure limit values set at Union level.
Where, in duly justified and exceptional cases involving imminent, direct and serious risks to workers’ and other persons’ physical health and safety, imperative grounds of urgency require action in a very short timeframe, the procedure provided for in Article 12b shall apply to delegated acts adopted pursuant to this Article.
3
For any chemical agent for which an indicative occupational exposure limit value is established at Community level, Member States shall establish a national occupational exposure limit value, taking into account the Community limit value, determining its nature in accordance with national legislation and practice.
4
Binding occupational exposure limit values may be drawn up at Community level and, in addition to the factors considered when establishing indicative occupational exposure limit values, shall reflect feasibility factors while maintaining the aim of ensuring the health of workers at work. Such limit values shall be established in accordance with Article 118a of the Treaty and laid down in Annex I to this Directive.
5
For any chemical agent for which a binding occupational exposure limit value is established. Member States shall establish a corresponding national binding occupational exposure limit value based on, but not exceeding, the Community limit value.
6
Binding biological limit values may be drawn up at Community level on the basis of the evaluation described in paragraph 1 and of the availability of measurement techniques, and shall reflect feasibility factors while maintaining the aim of ensuring the health of workers at work. Such limit values shall be established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 118a of the Treaty and laid down in Annex II to this Directive, together with other relevant health surveillance information.
7
For any chemical agent for which a binding biological limit value is established, Member States shall establish a corresponding national binding biological limit value based on, but not exceeding, the Community limit value.
8
Where a Member State introduces or revises a national occupational exposure limit value or a national biological limit value for a chemical agent, it shall inform the Commission and other Member States thereof together with the relevant scientific and technical data. The Commission shall undertake the appropriate action.
9
On the basis of the reports provided by the Member States under Article 15, the Commission shall carry out an assessment of the way in which Member States have taken account of Community indicative limit values when establishing the corresponding national occupational exposure limit values.
10
Standardised methods for the measurement and evaluation of workplace air concentrations in relation to occupational exposure limit values shall be developed in accordance with Article 12(2).
Substituted by Regulation (EU) 2019/1243 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 adapting a number of legal acts providing for the use of the regulatory procedure with scrutiny to Articles 290 and 291 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Text with EEA relevance).