Chemical industry and workers call on the European Commission to update EU rules on reprotoxic substances at the workplace
Brussels, 16 October 2018 – The chemical industry and trade unions today agreed on the future framework to further protect EU workers from the risks associated with exposure to substances toxic to reproduction at the workplace.
In a joint declaration signed today, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), industriAll European Trade Union, the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) call on the European Commission to strengthen the current system of protection of workers’ reproductive health.
“Adopting the proposed approach at EU level will benefit both companies and workers across all EU countries,” said Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic.
“Maintaining high standards of occupational health and safety is of paramount importance for the chemical industry,” added Emma Argutyan, Director General of ECEG.
“This agreement is important because it shows that employers and unions are working together to reduce chemical exposure at work and improve working conditions in all sectors,” declared Luc Triangle, General-Secretary of industriAll Europe.
“This agreement is in line with the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and proves that social dialogue is alive and kicking in Europe and delivering protection for workers’ reproductive health,” added Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC.
This joint declaration provides the group’s input into the ongoing debate on revising legal requirements for exposure to reprotoxic substances under the EU Chemical Agents Directive (CAD) and the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). If not managed properly, reprotoxic substances may be responsible for fertility and/or reproductive problems in exposed workers.
About Cefic
Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, founded in 1972, is the voice of large, medium and small chemical companies in Europe, which provide 1.1 million jobs and account for 15% of world chemicals production.
Contact: Maria Linkova-Nijs, Media Relations Manager, Cefic, mln@cefic.be
About ECEG
The European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) represents the employers’ interests of the chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber and plastics industries in Europe with approximately 3.3 million direct employees in more than 94.000 enterprises. As a Brussels-based social affairs organisation it is a recognised social partner and a consultation body of the European Institutions and other stakeholders.
Contact: Emma Argutyan, Director General, ECEG, +32 2 290 89 80 or e.argutyan@eceg.org
About indutriAll Europe
IndustriAll European Trade Union represents the voice of 7 million working men and women across supply chains in manufacturing, mining and energy sectors across Europe.
Contact : Erica Lee, press officer, industriAll Europe, +32 2 226 00 61 or erica.lee@industriall-europe.eu
About ETUC
The EuropeanTrade Union Confederation is the voice of workers and represents 45 million members from 90 trade union organisations in 38 European countries, plus 10 European Trade Union Federations.
Contact: Julian Scola, Head of Press & Communications, ETUC, +32 486 117 394 or jscola@etuc.org