The Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updated rules designed to strengthen protection for workers exposed to hazardous substances that may cause serious illnesses, including cancer and asthma

The agreement relates to the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD), which updates EU occupational health and safety legislation by introducing stricter measures against workplace exposure to dangerous substances.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to ensuring a high level of protection for workers against serious occupational health risks. By introducing new occupational exposure limit values, we are ensuring that the Union’s legislative framework keeps pace with the latest scientific evidence and technological developments. This outcome will help create safer working environments for millions of workers across Europe and further strengthen the prevention of work-related illnesses,” said Marinos Moushouttas, Minister for Labour and Social Insurance, Republic of Cyprus.

The revised rules are expected to prevent approximately 1,700 cases of lung cancer and 19,000 other work-related illnesses over the next 40 years.

Under the proposed revision, the directive will introduce new occupational exposure limit values (OELs) for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 1,4-dioxane. It will also add welding fumes to the list of substances, mixtures and processes covered under Annex I of the directive.

As part of the provisional agreement, the Council and Parliament agreed to expand the scope of the directive by introducing an OEL for isoprene. The agreement also extends the transitional period for applying the new OEL for PAHs to seven years and expands the sectors eligible for this transition period to include all carbon and graphite manufacturers.

The revised framework will also introduce requirements for regular breaks for workers using personal protective equipment (PPE) and clarify rules governing PPE use in relation to existing legislation.

In addition, the agreement updates the definitions of 'carcinogen', 'mutagen' and 'reprotoxic substance' to reflect the inclusion of welding fumes in Annex I, recognising their potential reprotoxic effects. It also highlights the need for further guidance on welding fumes and notes that establishing occupational exposure limits alone does not completely remove risks to workers’ health and safety.

The provisional agreement must now receive formal approval from both the Council and the European Parliament. Once adopted, the legislation will enter into force following legal and linguistic review.

The CMRD establishes measures to prevent and control risks arising from exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances in workplaces across the EU. The directive requires the introduction of occupational exposure limits wherever possible.

Following an evaluation of EU occupational safety and health legislation in 2017, the CMRD has undergone several updates, with five revisions already adopted addressing more than 40 hazardous substances. The European Commission presented its proposal for the sixth revision on 18 July 2025.

Heat stress is a danger for workers exposed to high temperatures, particularly in the Gulf in the summer, when temperatures can top 50%

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures at work reduces productivity and increases the risk of injury, disease and death, with worker productivity dropping by 2–3% for every degree above 20°C. It can also lead to increased risk-taking and decreased concentration, leading to accidents beyond its direct impact.

Midday work ban

The six countries of the GCC all implement a midday work ban, which prohibits outdoor work in during the summer months, which is generally strictly enforced. Bahrain for example, prohibits outdoor work between 12pm and 4pm from 15 June to 31 August, conducting regular inspections and enforcement measures to safeguard worker wellbeing. In 2025, adherence to the regulation reached 99.96%, indicating growing awareness among employers, supported by regular inspections and enforcement measures designed to safeguard worker wellbeing.

Alba Summer S&H campaign

Many companies and government departments in the Gulf launch summer safety campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of heat stress and measures that can be taken to prevent it, such as increasing the number of breaks, adapting access to water, cool spaces and shade, and adapting the working hours.

Among those is Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), which has launched its annual plant-wide Summer Safety and Health (S&H) Campaign under the theme "Safety by Choice, Excellence by Habit."

The campaign is in alignment with Alba’s commitment to strengthening its safety culture and promoting the health and wellbeing of its workforce, particularly during the summer season, through a series of awareness activities and events. Employees, contractors and workers will receive valuable information and practical guidance on key topics, including heat stress prevention, proper hydration and summer safety best practices, delivered by both internal and external safety specialists.

Core organisational value

Speaking at the campaign launch, Alba’s chief executive officer, Ali Al Baqali, emphasised that safety at Alba is a core organisational value and a year-round commitment that underpins every aspect of the company’s operations. He noted that the Summer Safety and Health Campaign represents an important milestone in Alba’s journey towards safety excellence, providing an opportunity to renew awareness, strengthen safe behaviours and safeguard everyone throughout the most challenging period of the year.

Al Baqali also urged all employees to continue adhering to safety procedures to achieve a 10th consecutive summer without a single heat-related injury or illness, by staying well hydrated, remaining vigilant at all times and reinforcing safety as a conscious choice in every aspect of their work.

As one of Alba’s flagship annual safety initiatives, the Summer S&H Campaign highlights the importance of continuous awareness, personal accountability and proactive risk management in industrial workplaces. The Campaign also plays a vital role in promoting safe behaviours, reducing heat-related incidents and fostering a culture where safety is embraced as a shared responsibility and an enduring daily practice. The company’s comprehensive health and safety initiatives are designed not only to prevent incidents but also to promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement among employees and contractors alike.

Alba’s proactive approach has had results. Last year the company reported it had completed its ninth consecutive summer season without a single heat-related illness or injury, attributing this to its robust awareness campaigns, hydration programmes, and continuous monitoring of working conditions.

SPS North America has been recognised among North America's Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces for 2026 by the Inspiring Workplaces Group, acknowledging organisations that cultivate workplace cultures built on trust, purpose, inclusion and employee experience.

The recognition reflects the company's sustained investment in programmes that support employee engagement, leadership development, wellbeing, learning and communication for its nearly 3,000 employees across North America.

Employee investment delivers measurable results

SPS earned the recognition for its people-first strategy, which has driven improvements in employee engagement, professional development and business performance.

Over the past year, employee satisfaction increased by seven points, while participation in the company's annual employee survey reached 89%, demonstrating high levels of engagement and trust across the workforce.

Employees completed more than 209,000 learning enrolments and accumulated over 100,000 hours of professional development, reinforcing the company's focus on continuous learning and career advancement.

These workforce investments also supported strong business performance, contributing to a 95% client retention rate, a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 79 and a customer satisfaction score of 91% for service delivery.

"Creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered is fundamental to how we deliver for our clients," said Valerie Mahoney, CHRO, North America, SPS. "We're committed to investing in leadership, learning, wellbeing, and open communication because exceptional employee experiences drive exceptional client experiences. We're honored to be recognized among North America's most inspiring workplace."

Recognition highlights people-focused strategy

The company was recognised for its integrated approach to employee engagement, leadership development, wellbeing, continuous learning and internal communication across its geographically dispersed workforce.

Presented in association with Engagedly, the Inspiring Workplaces Awards assess organisations across six key areas: Culture & Purpose, Leadership, Wellbeing, Inclusion & Belonging, Employee Voice and Employee Experience.

Commenting on this year's winners, Matt Manners, Founder of Inspiring Workplaces Group, said recognised organisations demonstrate that "when businesses put People First and build cultures based on trust, inclusion and belonging, they create the resilience and agility needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world of work."

Strengthening workplace culture across North America

SPS has developed a scalable workplace culture that supports nearly 3,000 employees serving clients at more than 480 locations across over 120 cities throughout North America. The company's approach centres on employee engagement, professional development, wellbeing and fostering a sense of belonging.

Its strategy is further supported by findings from the 2026 State of the Workplace report, co-authored with WORKTECH Academy, which found that engaged employees create greater value for clients, strengthen collaboration with colleagues and contribute to improved business performance. The findings reinforce SPS' view that investing in employee experience benefits employees, clients and the wider communities they serve.

Continued recognition

The latest honour adds to SPS' recent industry recognition, including being named Most Innovative Company of the Year at the American Business Awards, inclusion in IAOP's Global Outsourcing 100 for the 13th consecutive year, and recognition for Best Corporate Training Program at the Globee Awards. Together, these achievements reflect the company's continued focus on innovation, employee development and delivering high-quality client experiences.