July 24, 2025: The EU is poised to introduce new workplace exposure limits for sectors including EV battery production — despite warnings the move cost the industry €20 billion ($24 billion) over 40 years and force plant closures.
The exposure limits recommended by the Commission — in the sixth revision of the EU’s carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD) — include cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and 1,4-dioxane, which can be found in a range of household products. Welding fumes are also added under the scope of the CMRD.
The Commission said on July 18 the move could prevent about 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses, including restrictive lung disease and damage to the liver and kidneys, over the next four decades.
However, preliminary figures from the Cobalt Institute indicate the new limits could lead to more than 110,000 job losses out of a total of over 640,000 jobs and lead to the closure of around 20% of some 9,000 sites.
The Commission’s proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and European Council. If adopted, EU states will have two years to incorporate the directive into respective national laws.
An impact assessment of the proposal acknowledges industry fears that the new limits could lead to the relocation of production sites to countries and regions outside the EU and “have more far-reaching consequences for the European industry than only the increased protection of workers”.
The Commission said cobalt and inorganic compounds are commonly used in battery production and manufacturing processes for magnets and hard metals.
The proposed limit for cobalt and inorganic compounds is 0.01 mg/m³ for particles that can be breathed in through the nose and mouth, and 0.0025 mg/m³ for finer particles that can reach deeper into the lungs. Transitional limits (0.02 mg/m³ and 0,0042 mg/m³ respectively) will give industries six years to adapt, the Commission said.
Existing limits vary across the EU range from 0.01 mg/m³ (the ‘strictest’ national binding occupational exposure limit) to 0.5 mg/m³ (the ‘least strictest’).
According to the Commission, the proposed measures reflect the latest scientific data and benefits from analysis provided by the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work.
The measures could save in excess of €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in healthcare costs and significantly improve the quality of life for workers and their families, the Commission has claimed.
In 2023, in preparation for the Commission’s proposed changes, the Cobalt Institute said it had always supported the introduction of cobalt occupational exposure limit values in the EU.
However, “the values need to protect workers and let industry operate in Europe”.
The institute said then, based on its recently conducted scientific and socio-economic studies, it recommended 0.02 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 0.0025 mg/m³ (respirable) occupational exposure limits for cobalt and cobalt compounds.
These two recommended values would protect workers and allow for industry to continue operating in Europe. In addition, these values are progressive and are considered as still difficult to achieve for certain industries, the institute said.
