Most of the Work Environment Authority’s (Arbetsmiljöverkets) revised requirements on occupational exposure limit values will come into force on 1 October 2005. Of the 400-odd substances covered, 14 new exposure limit values have been added and 22 revised.

The substances concerned are non-organic synthetic fibres, fired ceramics, and some particulate and crystalline fibres. The occupational exposure limits for inorganic dust (replacing the two earlier categories of general dust and cement dust) are halved, which will have an impact on the construction industry.

The exposure limits for manganese and hexavalent chromium will be reduced from 1 January 2007, which will be important for welders. Monoisocyanates (MIC and ICA) - previously grouped under isocyanates - will be split into mono- and di-isocyanates, respectively.

Carcinogens will be divided into 3 groups: A (not to be handled), B (handling allowed only with express permission from the Authority), C (substances included in the list of exposure limits); substances known to cause sensitization and reprotoxins will be added to these groups. The new symbol "M" to be displayed on certain substances will indicate that they must be used under medical surveillance.

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