Binding occupational exposure limit values

Binding occupational exposure limit values reflect feasibility factors related to social acceptability. When the results of environmental monitoring have to be compared with OELs, factors that influence exposure and that entail preventive policies are considered. For these values member states shall establish a corresponding national binding occupational exposure limit value based on but not exceeding the community limit value. That is, a binding limit means a minimum requirement. 

Binding Occupational Exposure Limit Values (BOELVs)... 

The term binding occupational exposure limit value (BOELV) was introduced in article 3,4 of the chemical agents directive 98/24/EC. This type of Hmit is established in accordance to J 118 a of the European Treaty and is Hsted in the annex of this directive. According to the procedure for incorporation of limit values into national laws, the EU member states are required to adopt a national occupational exposure limit, which may be equal to or below the Hmit, but not higher than the BOELV. The procedure for establishing BOELV is quite complicated. Besides the toxicological properties, feasibility plays an important role. This includes technical aspects as well as considerations of the excess risk at estimated exposure levels. The acceptable-risk approach for genotoxic substances requires intense discussions on socio-economic factors between aU interested parties. 

Limit Values at the Workplace 199 Table 6.9 Overview of existing binding occupational exposure limit values. 

For carcinogenic and mutagenic substances of categories I and II, the carcinogens and mutagens directive 2004/37/EC is intended to establish binding occupational exposure limits which represent minimum requirements. So far a limit value has been determined for 3 substances only. The substances are benzene, vinyl chloride monomer, and hardwood dusts (see Tkble 6.9). 

In addition, within the European Union, a system has been developed by Directorate-General V (DGV) for the establishment of Binding Limit Values (BLV) and Indicative Limit Values (ILV) [18]. The former are directly binding on Member States, while the latter must be taken into account by Member States when setting national occupational exposure limits. 

Establishment of Binding and Indicative Limit Values for occupational exposure. 

The first European framework directive 80/1107/EEC on occupational safety (now repealed and replaced by directives 89/391/EEC and 98/24/EC) foresaw in article 8 the estabhshment of indicative as well as binding limit values for certain chemical substances. The aim of this mandate given to the European Council was to establish procedures and rules for deriving limit values and, of course, to set exposure limits based on these. In order to achieve this, the further harmonization and raising of occupational safety standards in relation to chemicals should be striven for as a practical step toward the realization of the social dimension of the common market in Europe. 

The biological limit values, according to directive 98/24/EC, are intended as binding limit values similar to the binding occupational limits for air exposure (BOELV) discussed in the previous Section. They have to be brought into force by the member states. National values must not exceed the community values. 

---