Sweden Regulations and General Guidelines on Occupational Respiratory Exposure Limits (AFS 2023:14), issued by the Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljöverket), establish occupational exposure limits for over 500 substances and substance groups. The regulation defines two categories of hygiene limits: the long-term exposure limit (NGV, normgivande gränsvärde) and the short-term exposure limit (KTV, korttidsgränsvärde). For substances such as lead and inorganic lead compounds, ethylene oxide, cadmium and inorganic cadmium compounds, reactive monomers such as styrene, and particularly hazardous synthetic inorganic fibres, employers are required to carry out mandatory exposure monitoring where inhalation risks exist.

Sweden Regulations and General Guidelines on Occupational Respiratory Exposure Limits is available

The Serbia List of Binding Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Substances was established by Serbia pursuant to national occupational health and safety regulations, covering occupational exposure limits for a wide range of industrial chemical substances. The standard sets 8-hour time-weighted average permissible concentrations (TWA) and short-term exposure limits (STEL), with annotations such as skin absorption notations. It applies to all workplaces with chemical risks in Serbia. Employers must ensure that worker exposures consistently remain below statutory permissible concentrations and shall implement effective engineering controls, proper personal protection, and regular health monitoring.

Serbia List of Binding Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Substances is available

The Slovenia List of Mandatory Biological Limit Values is set out in Appendix 1 of the Regulation on the Protection of Workers from Chemical Risks in the Workplace, published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia (Uradni list RS), No. 29/2024. It specifies mandatory biological limit values / BAT values for substances that can be absorbed via inhalation, dermal penetration, or oral intake and accumulate in the body through metabolism—such as lead and its inorganic compounds, cadmium, mercury, benzene, carbon monoxide, and certain solvent metabolites. The list establishes upper permissible limits for metabolites or parent compounds in biological matrices (whole blood, plasma, urine, etc.), typically used in conjunction with airborne BOELVs as a statutory threshold for verifying the effectiveness of occupational exposure controls and determining whether medical surveillance or job reassignment is warranted.

Slovenia List of Mandatory Biological Limit Values is available

The Slovenia List of Mandatory Occupational Exposure Limits originates from Appendix 1 of the Regulation on the Protection of Workers from Chemical Risks in the Workplace, published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia (Uradni list RS), No. 29/2024. This appendix transposes EU Occupational Exposure Limit directives into a domestically legally binding implementation schedule, explicitly specifying the 8-hour time-weighted average permissible concentrations (TWA) and 15-minute short-term exposure permissible concentrations (STEL) for various chemical hazardous agents in workplace air. Employers must apply the limit values listed in this inventory when conducting occupational hazard risk assessments, setting engineering control measures, and selecting personal protective equipment.

Slovenia List of Mandatory Occupational Exposure Limits is available

The Hungary List of Maximum Allowable Concentrations of Harmful Substances in Workplace Air was established by Hungary's Ministry of Social Affairs and Health pursuant to Decree 5/2020 (II.6) ITM, covering occupational exposure limits for over 300 chemical substances. The standard includes ÁK (average concentration, 8-hour TWA) and CK (peak concentration, up to four 15-minute periods per shift), and indicate characteristic properties such as the skin absorption mark (b), irritant mark (i), and carcinogen classification (k). Following the 2020 update, Hungary further adopted EU indicative limit values. All limit values are legally binding; employers must ensure workplace exposures do not exceed statutory limits, and enforcement is overseen by the Occupational Health Inspectorate.

Hungary List of Maximum Allowable Concentrations of Harmful Substances in Workplace Air is available

Austrian List of Substances (MAK and TRK) is established by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection pursuant to the Limit Values Ordinance. The MAK value( Maximum Workplace Concentration) serves as the health-based limit value; compliance generally prevents adverse health effects. Conversely, the TRK value(Technical Guidance Concentration) applies to hazardous substances for which a health-based limit cannot be established. It is set solely based on technical feasibility and does not fully preclude health risks. This legally binding list covers 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) limits and short-term peak concentrations for gases, vapours, and dusts. Non-compliance is subject to penalties.

Austrian List of Substances (MAK and TRK)

Poland List of Maximum Permissible Concentrations of Chemical and Dust Hazardous Agents for Health in the Work Environment is established by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy pursuant to the Regulation on Maximum Admissible Concentrations and Intensities of Harmful Factors in the Work Environment (Dz.U. 2018, item 1286). This list defines occupational exposure limits for chemical and dust agents, specifying the 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) Maximum Admissible Concentration (NDS), the Short-Term Exposure Limit (NDSCh), and the Ceiling Limit (NDSP). Employers are legally required to ensure workplace exposures remain below these statutory NDS limits and must conduct regular workplace environmental monitoring.

Poland List of Maximum Permissible Concentrations of Chemical and Dust Hazardous Agents for Health in the Work Environment

Italy Occupational Exposure Limits are jointly issued by the Italian Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and the Ministry of Health. Legislative Decree No. 135/2024, promulgated on September 4, 2024 and effective on September 26, 2024, replaces the original Annex XXXVIII and Annex XLIII. This standard covers occupational exposure limits for chemical substances, setting an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) permissible concentration and Ceiling limits. The occupational exposure limit system has added several new skin absorption notations, including skin markings for substances such as acrylic acid and bisphenol A. This standard applies to all workplaces with chemical risks. Employers must update risk assessments, provide regular training to exposed workers, retain exposure registers and health records for at least five years, ensure exposure does not exceed statutory limits, and implement periodic monitoring.

Italy Occupational Exposure Limits

France Occupational Exposure Limits – Chemical substances are established by the National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS) and managed under provisions such as Article R4412-149 of the French Labour Code. This limits system covers hundreds of chemical substances, setting both an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (VME/OEL TWA) and a 15-minute Short-Term Exposure Limit (VLE/OEL STEL). The limits are divided into two categories: legally Binding Limit Values (VRC) and Indicative Limit Values (VL). On April 8, 2026, France updated the VLEP list through Decree No. 2026-253. INRS publishes the ED 984 manual annually, providing a core technical benchmark for chemical exposure control in French workplaces. Employers must ensure that workplace exposure does not exceed statutory VLEP limits and conduct monitoring and assessments using INRS methods.

France Occupational Exposure Limits– Chemical Substances

Finland Known harmful concentrations-HTP Limits issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, incorporates newly added substances and revised limits, introducing biological exposure reference values categorized into HTP 8h and HTP 15min. Employers must ensure workplace hazardous substance concentrations do not exceed the latest HTP limits and regularly calibrate gas detection equipment to comply with current safety standards.

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