Occupational safety and health: risks related to chemical agents (14th particular Directive, Directive 89/391/EEC)

In its communication concerning the common position adopted by the Council with regard to the proposal for a directive on exposure to chemical agents at work, the Commission indicates that it can accept the compromised text proposed by the Council, although it does not fully meet its own wishes, for example with regard to the non-binding nature of practical guidelines to be applied by Member States concerning the protection of the health and safety of workers. However, the Commission acknowledges that both national and Community framework legislation is frequently underpinned by guidelines which are easier to update in line with progress made by the relevant technology. In view of this and because the common position calls on the Member States to take account 'as far as possible' of these guidelines in drawing up their national policies, the Commission can endorse the text proposed by the Council which is more flexible than that contained in the annexes to its modified proposal. �