Industry statement on proposed benzo[a]pyrene OEL in the 6th CMR Directive Revision
On 12 February 2026, Coal Chemistry Europe (CCE), together with Euroalliages, EUROFER, European Aluminium, and ECGA, issued a joint statement expressing concerns regarding the proposed Occupational Exposure Limit Value (OELV) for benzo[a]pyrene under the revision of the EU’s Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances (CMR) Directive.
To ensure that the limit delivers real, measurable improvements in worker protection while remaining workable in practice, the associations therefore call for the following accompanying measures:
• Harmonised recognition of personal protective equipment (PPE) protection factors across all Member States, to ensure consistent application, legal certainty, and effective risk management.
• An extension of the transition period from six to ten years, allowing sufficient time for the deployment of new technologies, coordinated investment planning, workforce training, and verification of compliance outcomes.
The statement underscores the essential role of these sectors in Europe’s industrial resilience and strategic autonomy.
