EU: European trade unions in favor of a revision of the law on the protection of workers from electromagnetic fields

Take account of scientific progress. European staff representatives answered yes to the consultation launched by the European Commission shortly before the summer (see our dispatch No. 090796) on the need to revise directive 2004/40 protecting workers against electromagnetic fields. The ETUC and the EPSU (in charge, notably, of the medical and electricity sectors), wrote in their answer that scientific progress allows updating the directive both regarding values which can be directly measures by employers, which lead to protection measures, and the limit values of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Indeed, recent research showed that the limits set by the European directive were too strict. They think that a revision is even more needed since the directive doesn’t contain the notion of scientific progress, only considering the mid-term impact of exposure and forgetting about long-term effects.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

ific progress allows updating the directive both regarding values which can be directly measures by employers, which lead to protection measures, and the limit values of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Indeed, recent research showed that the limits set by the European directive were too strict. They think that a revision is even more needed since the directive doesn’t contain the notion of scientific progress, only considering the mid-term impact of exposure and forgetting about long-term e

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
United Kingdom: trade unions can now use electronic and workplace voting
The news. The provisions of the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 authorising electronic and workplace voting for trade union ballots came into force on Tuesday, 25 August. They apply to trade union...
Netherlands: Uber fined over 800 million euros for automated algorithmic decisions
The news. In a decision dated 17 August, the Dutch Data Protection Authority fined ride-hailing company Uber €825 million for automating decisions regarding driver account deactivations. The...
Portugal: open consultation on the transposition of the Pay Transparency Directive
The news. On 5 August 2026, the Portuguese government published a document proposing a draft text to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive as the basis for a public consultation open until...
EU: the Commission will set up an Expert Group on the impact of AI in the world of work
The news. On 22 July 2026, the European Commission published a progress report on the EU-27’s achievements regarding the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights, reinforced by the...