# Directive 2022/431 – reprotoxic substances, nickel compounds, lead into the CMRD

Directive (EU) 2022/431 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2022 amending Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

- Status: In force
- Legal order: European Union
- Legal area: Chemicals and worker health
- OJ L 88, 16.3.2022, p. 1
- Business profile: Smelting, Semi-fabrication, Recycling

## In brief

Extends the CMRD to reprotoxic substances (inter alia lead), introduces OELs for nickel compounds, acrylonitrile and benzene and transfers the values for lead from Directive 98/24/EC to Annexes III and IIIa of the CMRD.

## Key obligations

- reprotoxic substances of category 1A/1B covered by all CMRD obligations (Art. 1(1)–(4) – amendment of Arts 1–3 of Directive 2004/37)
- nickel compounds: OEL 0.01 mg/m³ (respirable) and 0.05 mg/m³ (inhalable) from 18.01.2025; until 17.01.2025 0.1 mg/m³ inhalable (Annex III)
- acrylonitrile: 1 mg/m³, STEL 4 mg/m³ from 5.04.2026; benzene 0.66 mg/m³ (0.2 ppm) from 5.04.2026 (Annex III)
- training adapted to new or changed risks (Art. 11(1) of Directive 2004/37 as amended by Directive 2022/431)

## Competent authority

In PL: State Sanitary Inspection, National Labour Inspectorate

## Penalties

Through national provisions (Art. 283 § 1 of the Labour Code)

## Entry into force

05.04.2022

## Application

transposition by 5.04.2024 (Art. 2); nickel OEL from 18.01.2025; acrylonitrile from 5.04.2026

## Key dates

- 05.04.2024: transposition deadline
- 18.01.2025: OEL for nickel compounds 0.01/0.05 mg/m³
- 05.04.2026: OEL for acrylonitrile and target OEL for benzene

## Related acts

- [CMRD – carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/eu-cmrd/)
- [Regulation on Polish occupational exposure limits (NDS/NDN; lead 0.03 mg/m³)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/pl-nds/)

## Official sources

- [Text of the act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/431/oj)
- [Consolidated text](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PL/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02004L0037-20240408)
- [Journal of Laws – Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1017 (implementation in the NDS)](https://dziennikustaw.gov.pl/DU/2024/1017)

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Register as of: 22.10.2026. The official text of the act prevails. IGMNiR. On the website: https://igmnir.org/en/law/#akt-eu-cmrd-2022-431