(1)

Pursuant to Directive 98/24/EC, the Commission is to propose European objectives in the form of indicative occupational exposure limit values (IOELVs) for the protection of workers from chemical risks, to be set at Community level.

(2)

In carrying out this task, the Commission is assisted by the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents (SCOEL) set up by Commission Decision 95/320/EC (2).

(3)

Indicative occupational exposure limit values are health-based, non-binding values, derived from the most recent scientific data available and taking into account the availability of measurement techniques. They set threshold levels of exposure below which no detrimental effects are expected for any given substance. They are necessary for the determination and assessment of risks by the employer in accordance with Article 4 of Directive 98/24/EC.

(4)

For any chemical agent for which indicative occupational exposure limit values are established at Community level, Member States are required to establish a national occupational exposure limit value taking into account the Community limit value, but may determine its nature in accordance with national legislation and practice.

(5)

Indicative occupational exposure limit values should be regarded as an important part of the overall approach to ensuring the protection of the health of workers at the workplace against the risks arising from hazardous chemicals.

(6)

Results of the risk assessments and risk reduction strategies developed in the framework of Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 (3) on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances provide for the establishment or revision of OELs for a number of substances.

(7)

A first and a second list of indicative occupational exposure limit values were established by Commission Directives 91/322/EEC (4) and 96/94/EC (5) under Council Directive 80/1107/EEC of 27 November 1980 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work (6).

(8)

Directive 80/1107/EEC was repealed with effect from 5 May 2001 by Directive 98/24/EC.

(9)

Directive 98/24/EC established that Directives 91/322/EEC and 96/94/EEC were to remain in force.

(10)

Directive 96/94/EC was repealed with effect from 31 December 2001 by Commission Directive 2000/39/EC of 8 June 2000 establishing a first list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of Council Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (7).

(11)

In the light of the evaluation of the latest available scientific data, it is appropriate to review the indicative occupational exposure limit values established by Directive 91/322/EEC.

(12)

In accordance with Article 3 of Directive 98/24/EC, SCOEL has assessed a total of 33 substances, which are listed in the Annex to the present Directive. Of these 33 substances, 17 were already listed in the Annex to Directive 91/322/EEC. For 4 of these substances, the SCOEL recommends the establishment of new indicative limit values and, for 13 substances, the maintenance of the previous limit values. Therefore those 17 substances now listed in the Annex to the present Directive should be deleted from the Annex to Directive 91/322/EEC, whereas the other 10 substances will remain in the Annex to Directive 91/322/EEC.

(13)

Ten substances should remain in the Annex to Directive 91/322/EEC. As to 9 of these substances the SCOEL has not yet recommended an indicative occupational exposure limit value, while for one remaining substance it is anticipated that additional scientific data will available in the near future and that it will be submitted to SCOEL for consideration.

(14)

The list in the Annex to this Directive also incorporates 16 other substances for which indicative occupational exposure limit values have been recommended by SCOEL, following evaluation of the latest available scientific data on occupational health effects and taking into account the availability of measurement techniques in accordance with Article 3 of Directive 98/24/EC.

(15)

One of those 16 substances, monochlorobenzene, was included in the Annex of Directive 2000/39/EC. SCOEL has reviewed the IOELV in the light of the recent scientific data and recommended the establishment of a new IOELV. Therefore, this substance, now listed in the Annex of the present Directive, should be deleted from the Annex to Directive 2000/39/EC.

(16)

It is also necessary to establish short-term exposure limit values for certain substances to take account of effects arising from short-term exposure.

(17)

For some substances, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of penetration through the skin in order to ensure the best possible level of protection.

(18)

This Directive should constitute a practical step towards the achievement of the social dimension of the internal market.

(19)

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee instituted by Article 17 of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (8).

(20)

Directive 91/322/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly,