Latest update: 18/09/2024

Directive 2009/161/EU - indicative occupational exposure limit values

The Directive establishes a third list of indicative occupational exposure limit values.

Directive 2009/161/EU of 17 December 2009 establishing a third list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of Council Directive 98/24/EC and amending Commission Directive 2000/39/EC is based on Council Directive 98/24/EC.

Member States shall establish national occupational exposure limit values for the chemical agents listed in the Annex, taking into account the Community values.

  • The Directive establishes values for a reference period of eight-hours time weighted average and also for a short term period of 15 minutes for the following 18 chemical agents:

- N,N Dimethylformamide
- Carbon disulphide
- Methyl methacrylate
- Methylacrylate
- Vinyl acetate
- Phenol		 - 2-Methoxyethanol
- 2-Methyoxyethyl acetate
- 2-Ethoxy ethanol
- 2-Ethoxyethyl acetate
- 1,4 Dioxane
- Ethylacrylate		 - Methylisocyanate
- n-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- Tertiary-butyl-methyl ether
- Mercury and divalent inorganic mercury compounds 
including mercuric oxide and mercuric chloride (measured as mercury)
- Sulphuric acid (mist)
- Hydrogen sulphide

  • Skin absorption feature of certain substances is noted.

  • In the Annex to Commission Directive 2000/39/EC the reference to phenol is deleted and the new limit values are included in this Directive.

  • Limit value for Bisphenol A (inhalable dust) is repealed by, and new limit value is available in Commission Directive 2017/164/EU.

 

Read the full text of Directive 2009/161/EU

National laws implementing this Directive

 

There are further lists on indicative occupational exposure limit values: