# CMRD 6 – cobalt, PAHs, isoprene, 1,4-dioxane, welding fumes

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and the setting of limit values in Annexes I, III and IIIa thereto (COM(2025) 418)

- Status: Adopted
- Legal order: European Union
- Legal area: Chemicals and worker health
- COM(2025) 418 of 18.07.2025; 2025/0232(COD); act signed on 21.10.2026, pending publication in the OJ
- Business profile: Smelting, Semi-fabrication, Recycling, Product manufacturers

## In brief

Introduces OELs for cobalt and its inorganic compounds (inter alia Ni/Co refining, battery recycling) and for PAHs with a transitional period, inter alia for aluminium producers and other non-ferrous metallurgical processes.

## Key obligations

- cobalt and inorganic compounds: 0.01 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 0.0025 mg/m³ (respirable); skin and respiratory sensitisation notation (Annex III)
- cobalt: for 6 years from entry into force 0.02 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 0.0042 mg/m³ (respirable) (Annex III, transitional measures column)
- PAHs (as benzo[a]pyrene) 0.00007 mg/m³; for 7 years 0.00014, inter alia for aluminium producers and other NF metallurgical processes (Annex III)
- work involving exposure to welding fumes containing CMR substances of category 1A/1B as a carcinogenic process (Annex I, point 9)
- isoprene 8.5 mg/m³ (3 ppm); 1,4-dioxane 7.3 mg/m³, STEL 73 mg/m³ (Annex III)

## Competent authority

In PL after transposition: State Sanitary Inspection, National Labour Inspectorate

## Penalties

Through national provisions after transposition

## Application

transposition within 2 years of entry into force (Art. 2); cobalt – transitional values 6 years, PAHs – 7 years

## Key dates

- 18.07.2025: Commission proposal COM(2025) 418
- 06.10.2026: EP position at first reading (T10-0321/2026)
- 19.10.2026: adoption of the act by the Council
- 21.10.2026: signature of the act; publication in the OJ expected

## Pending changes

Act adopted and signed (21.10.2026); awaiting publication in the OJ – Directive number and dates of entry into force unknown as at 22.10.2026.

## 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/)
- [Regulation of the Minister of Health – CMR agents in the working environment (registers)](https://igmnir.org/dane/prawo/en/pl-cmr-rozp/)

## Official sources

- [Text of the act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PL/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025PC0418)
- [EP – Legislative Observatory, 2025/0232(COD)](https://oeil.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/en/procedure-file?reference=2025/0232(COD))
- [Council of the EU – information note ST 13631/26 of 7.10.2026 (text of the EP position)](https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-13631-2026-INIT/en/pdf)
- [Council of the EU – press release of 19.10.2026](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/10/19/council-greenlights-measures-to-protect-workers-from-exposure-to-hazardous-substances/)

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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-cmrd6