Workers’ safety
From 1 January 2029, a biological limit value of 15 μg Pb/dL blood for lead and its compounds at the workplace will start to apply across the EU, with some flexibility for workers with a long history of service in lead-expose area. A transitional limit value of 30 μg Pb/dL from 19 March 2026 to 31 December 2028.
In addition, an airborne limit value of 30 μg Pb/m³ will apply for the concentration of lead particles at the workplace.
The updated Blood Mitigation Programme Guidelines, February 2024, update the 2017 version of the Guidelines in line with technical progress. The update reinforces and extends the safety protocols and lead exposure reduction best practices that must be implemented by the programme’s adherents. The Guidelines support the implementation of the revised Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxicants Directive, which set a binding blood lead limit value of 15 µg/dL from 2029, with flexibility for employees with a long history of service in lead-exposed area. The new Guidelines also implements at EU level the global Voluntary Blood Lead Improvement Programme adopted by BCI, ABR, EUROBAT and ILA in 2022.
Participation in the Programme and adherence to the Guidelines is mandatory for members of EUROBAT. The programme establishes a target of no employees with measured blood lead exceeding 200 µg/L by the end of 2025, down from a target of 250 µg/L by the end of 2019. The programme only applies to battery manufacturing companies that are members of EUROBAT and therefore does not ensure harmonised protection against lead exposure for all other activities and businesses where lead exposure is possible in the EU.
Blood Lead Reduction Guidelines
The basic levels of the Blood Lead Reduction Guidelines are a list of control measures that combine activities in the following areas:
Technical controls
Personal and general hygiene rules and practices
Personal protective equipment
Training and counselling