• Careers
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Contact our team

BLOG

Regulations and associated Code of Practice governing Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances

On 29 March 2024, Iris Oifigiúil published the new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations 2024. These regulations implement new requirements for employers to manage the risks associated with substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic. These regulations revoke the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations 2001. The Health and Safety Authority have also published a new Code of Practice titled “2024 Code of Practice for the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations (2001-2021) and the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances) Regulations (2024)”. The regulations enter into force on 5 April 2024.


The new regulations set out requirements for employers to engage a competent person to risk assess any potential exposure to substances that are carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic as a result of their work. Section 4 sets out the general employer duties and factors to consider in the risk assessment process such as elimination or reduction of the substance.
Section 11 of the regulations requires employers to conduct adequate health surveillance on employees that have the potential to be exposed to these substances.
The Code of Practice (COP) document is a practical guide and explains health surveillance monitoring procedures and best practices. The Schedules list Occupational Exposure Limit Values for the substances classified under the regulations. Three carcinogenic substances, benzene, acryonitrile and nickel compounds have had the limit values revised. The COP now also contains the Biological Limit Values for lead.


The Code of Practice can be accessed here.

On the same subject