Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Legislation
The new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations, 2004 (S.I. No. 122 of 2024), have been published. They consolidate the 2001 Carcinogens regulations along with its amendments in 2015 and 2019 and includes the requirements of EU Directive (EU) 2022/431. It is available for download from the Irish Statute Book here .
The regulations relate to the prevention and reduction of exposure to carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work and place a responsibility on all employers in whose workplace a:
- Carcinogen
- Mutagen
- Reprotoxic Substance
- Carcinogenic Substances, Mixtures and Processes
Is present, to assess the risk and lay down measures to ensure the safety and health of employees. (Standard is technically feasible)
The regulations apply to Category 1A & 1B carcinogens , mutagens and reprotoxic substances (as per CLP Regulation) and to Carcinogenic Substances, Mixtures and Processes as per Schedule 4 of the 2024 Code of Practice
This latest update
• brings reprotoxic substances under its scope
• introduces hazardous medicinal products (HMPs)
• revises the limit values for three key carcinogens: benzene, acrylonitrile and nickel compounds. (See 2024 Code of Practice )
• contains the Biological Limit Values for lead (no change as has just been transferred from the Chemical Agents Directive)
