Roadmap on carcinogens

photo by Nicolas Lobet

Stop carcinogens at work: Taking action on work-related cancer

The Roadmap on Carcinogens is an EU action plan aimed at preventing work-related cancer, the leading cause of work-related deaths in the EU. Its key goals are to raise awareness of the risks arising from exposure to carcinogens in the workplace, exchange good practice, and promote cooperation between national and EU partners to advance prevention of exposure. The scheme aims to help protect workers from harm— today and in the future. 

Launched in 2016, the initiative involves many partners: EU Member states, EU social partners, the European Commission, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and EU-OSHA. The Roadmap contributes to Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and is supported by the 2021-2027 EU OSH Strategic Framework. 

Strategy 2025-2027

From 2016 to 2024, roadmap partners have gathered a large pool of information for actors in OSH and engaged a broad range of stakeholders. The Roadmap on Carcinogens 3.0 (RoC3.0) strategy and the covenant signed by all partners emphasises dissemination of the evidence and tools, and implementation of actions based on these commitments:

  • Sharing knowledge on the health impacts of harmful carcinogens with employers and workers exposed to these substances.
  • Providing active support for employers and workers to ensure tools are used and knowledge on exposure prevention is applied in practice.
  • Organising regular meetings to guarantee sustained cooperation and awareness of activities among all partners.
  • The roadmap is a voluntary and action driven programme. Partners agree on a basic range of activities, but additional actions are welcome.
  • The initiative, taken up by the Presidencies of the Council of the EU, aims to leave a lasting legacy in preventing work-related exposure to carcinogens.

EU-OSHA is helping to promote the activities of the roadmap and supports the partners in organising events to raise awareness and assess progress.

How to get involved

Organisations and companies can get involved by:

  • Sharing innovative solutions and best practices for reducing exposure to carcinogens in the workplace.
  • Participating in awareness-raising campaigns to inform workers and employers about the risks of carcinogen exposure and the importance of preventive measures.
  • Engaging in regular partner meetings to stay informed about and collaborate in ongoing activities and initiatives.
  • Applying and sharing the tools and the knowledge provided by the roadmap to actively prevent carcinogen exposure in their own workplaces.
  • Being inspired by the results of the twelve challenges set by the roadmap to further its impact and help prevent exposure to carcinogens.
  • Becoming an active supporter and subscribing to the newsletter of the roadmap.

Further information

The website Stop Carcinogens at Work provides practical help and advice, best practices and innovative solutions, as well as information on the different activities of the roadmap partners. Explore the carcinogens section on the website to learn about harmful workplace carcinogens like pesticides or asbestos, and process-generated carcinogens, such as diesel engine exhaust. 

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