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.

Finland Known harmful concentrations-HTP Limits

Denmark List of Limit Values for Air Pollutants – Gases, Vapours, and Particulate Matter formulated by the Danish Working Environment Authority, covers OELs for gases, vapors, and particulate matter, setting 8-hour TWAs and STELs annotated with special designations for carcinogens and sensitizers. Employers must implement exposure assessment and control measures to ensure worker exposure remains below statutory permissible limits and conduct regular workplace environmental monitoring.

Denmark List of Limit Values for Air Pollutants – Gases, Vapours, and Particulate Matter

Russia Maximum Allowable Concentration of Hazardous Substances in Workplace Air developed by the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) under Sanitary Norms (GN 2.2.5 series), covers MAC values for thousands of substances categorized into Time-Weighted Averages (TWA) and Ceiling Concentrations (C). Employers must ensure workplace airborne concentrations remain below MAC limits and implement engineering controls, PPE, and periodic health monitoring.

Russia Maximum Allowable Concentration of Hazardous Substances in Workplace Air

Brazilian Permissible Limits for Hazardous Chemical Factors in the Workplace established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, covers OELs for approximately 150 substances, defining 8-hour TWAs and ceiling limits (C), with skin absorption notations indicated for specific substances. Employers must assess concentrations using at least ten instantaneous sampling points to ensure the arithmetic mean does not exceed statutory permissible limits, as non-compliance is deemed a critical emergency risk scenario.

Brazilian Permissible Limits for Hazardous Chemical Factors in the Workplace

Chile Regulation on Basic Sanitary and Environmental Conditions in Workplaces – Time Weighted Average  Limits and Short-Term Exposure Limits formulated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, covers OELs for chemical, physical, and biological agents by setting 8-hour TWAs and 15-minute STELs, with peak limits specified for certain substances. Employers must conduct exposure assessment and control measures to ensure worker exposure remains below statutory permissible standards and perform regular workplace environmental monitoring.

Chile Regulation on Basic Sanitary and Environmental Conditions in Workplaces – Time Weighted Average Limits and Short-Term Exposure Limits

India Permissible levels of certain chemical substances in work environment established by the Ministry of Labour and Employment under the Factories Actand related rules, covers OELs for various industrial chemicals expressed as 8-hour TWAs and STELs. Employers must ensure workplace chemical concentrations do not exceed statutory permissible limits and implement engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and periodic health monitoring.

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