This agreement is important because it shows that employers and unions are working together to reduce chemical risks and improve working conditions in all sectors
In a joint declaration signed today, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), industriAll Europe Trade Union, the European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) call on the European Commission to strengthen the current system of protection of workers’ reproductive health.
"Adopting this position at the EU level will create a level playing field for companies and workers in terms of risk management across all EU countries," said Marco Mensink, Director General of Cefic.
"Maintaining high standards of occupational health and safety is of paramount importance for the chemical industry,” added Emma Argutyan, Director General of ECEG.
"This agreement is important because it shows that employers and unions are working together to reduce chemical risks and improve working conditions in all sectors," declared Luc Triangle, General-Secretary of industriAll Europe.
"This agreement is in line with the implementation of the European Pillars of Social Rights and proves that social dialogue is alive and kicking in Europe," added Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary of the ETUC.
This joint position provides the group’s input into the ongoing debate on revising legal requirements for exposure to reprotoxic substances under the EU Chemical Agents Directive (CAD) and the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD). If not managed properly, reprotoxic substances may be responsible for fertility problems in exposed workers.
READ THE JOINT DECLARATION HERE.
For more information please contact:
Maria Linkova-Nijs, Media Relations Manager, Cefic, +32 2 676 73 98 or mln@cefic.be
Emma Argutyan, Director General, ECEG, +32 238 97 73 or e.argutyan@eceg.org
Erica Lee, Press Officer, industriAll Europe, +32 2 226 00 61 or erica.lee@industriall-europe.eu
Julian Scola, Head of Press & Communications, ETUC, +32 486 117 394 or jscola@etuc.org