European Parliament advances worker protections for mental health and chemical safety

The European Parliament has taken significant steps to enhance worker protections across the European Union, focusing on both mental health and exposure to hazardous substances.

In a non-binding legislative initiative, MEPs voted 413-210 to urge the European Commission to propose rules aimed at reducing workplace risks such as stress, burnout, and psychosocial disorders. The report calls for employers to be held responsible for ensuring safe, dignified working conditions and to implement policies prohibiting violence, harassment, and bullying. Lawmakers also emphasized the need for regular risk assessments regarding workload and the impact of algorithmic management, while reiterating the right of workers to disconnect.

Separately, the Parliament approved updates to the carcinogens, mutagens, and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD). This revision establishes new exposure limit values for dangerous chemicals, including cobalt, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 1,4-dioxane. The directive aims to combat occupational cancer, which affects approximately 120,000 workers in the EU annually. The rules also mandate improved training and personal protective equipment for workers in high-risk sectors, such as chemical production, steel manufacturing, and emergency services.