News
EU health, safety and environment changes in plain English, each sorted by what you need to do and linked to the official text.
- Act nowDeadline in 6 daysChemicals
From 1 November, suppliers must check their substances for four new hazards
Substances already on the EU market must be classified for endocrine disruption (human health and environment), PBT/vPvB and PMT/vPvM by 1 November 2026. Some safety data sheets and labels you receive will change.
What to do: Ask your suppliers which of your substances get a new classification and when updated safety data sheets will arrive. Our supplier letter is ready to send. Read the full story
- Act nowDeadline in 3 monthsMachinery
The Machinery Regulation replaces the Machinery Directive on 20 January 2027
Machinery placed on the EU market from that date must meet Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. If you modify a machine in a way its manufacturer did not plan, and the change needs new guards or protective measures, you can become its manufacturer.
What to do: Add the Regulation to your purchase specifications for machines placed on the market or put into service from 20 January 2027. Our purchase clause is ready to copy. Read the full story
- Plan aheadSafety at work
EU agrees stricter rules for cobalt, PAHs, 1,4-dioxane, isoprene and welding fumes
The Council adopted the sixth update of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive. Countries then have two years from its entry into force to put it into national law.
What to do: Map where your workers are exposed to these agents. Read the full story
- Good to knowSafety at work
European Parliament asks for an EU law on psychosocial risks at work
Parliament asked the Commission to propose an EU law, after first carrying out an impact assessment. It is a request, not a law.
What to do: Nothing new yet. Your existing duty to assess all risks, including psychosocial ones, already applies. Read the full story
- Good to knowAI
Rules for AI used to hire, assign or monitor workers now start on 2 December 2027
The AI Omnibus moved the start dates of the AI Act rules for high-risk AI. AI that recruits, allocates work to or monitors workers counts as high-risk.
What to do: List the AI tools on your sites that recruit, assign work to or monitor people, including camera systems that analyse behaviour. Read the full story