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What it regulates
Sets out how to identify, assess and control risks from hazardous chemical agents, including specific controls, health surveillance and emergency arrangements.
Who it applies to
Activities involving hazardous chemical agents present at the workplace or resulting from the work, subject to Article 1’s rules on interaction with other legislation.
Key provisions
Assess hazardous properties, exposure, quantities, working conditions and combined effects; measure inhalation exposure unless the article’s sufficient-justification exception applies.
Article 3Prioritise substitution; where it does not eliminate risk, apply technical controls, collective protection and work organisation before personal protection.
Article 5Arrange health surveillance according to the risk and the article’s conditions, including the situations where it is mandatory.
Article 6Plan responses to accidents, incidents and emergencies, including resources, training, exercises and appropriate information for response services.
Article 7History and versions
Initial publication: 01/05/2001 · Initial entry into force: 05/05/2001
BOE-A-2001-8436Royal Decree 846/2026 amended Annexes I and II and added the sole transitional provision. It introduced diisocyanate limits, with a transition until 31 December 2028, and moved the specific lead limits out of these annexes.
BOE-A-2026-22080Royal Decree 598/2015 amended Articles 2.5(a) and (b), 3.1(a) and 9.2(d).
BOE-A-2015-7458A correction of printing errors was published on 22 June 2001.
BOE-A-2001-11960A correction of printing errors was published on 30 May 2001.
BOE-A-2001-10162All text versions recorded by the BOE
| Publication | Effective date | Official reference | Affected provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/05/2001 | 05/05/2001 | BOE-A-2001-8436 | no, preambulo, CAPÍTULO I, Article 1, Article 2, CAPÍTULO II, Article 3, Article 4, Article 5, Article 6, Article 7, Article 8, Article 9, Article 10, Repealing provision sole, Final provision first, Final provision second, Final provision third, firma, Annex I, Annex II, Annex III |
| 04/07/2015 | 05/07/2015 | BOE-A-2015-7458 | Article 2, Article 3, Article 9 |
| 23/10/2026 | 24/10/2026 | BOE-A-2026-22080 | Transitional provision sole, Annex I, Annex II |
Transitional provisions and application notes
From 24 October 2026 until 31 December 2028, diisocyanates have transitional limits of 10 µg NCO/m³ for daily exposure and 20 µg NCO/m³ for short-term exposure. The Annex I values of 6 and 12 respectively apply afterwards unless the legislation changes.
Transitional provision soleThe 2026 reform leaves Annex II empty and removes the lead limits from these annexes: the specific rules are in Royal Decree 665/1997. This does not remove protection against lead.
Annex II
Official BOE legal relationships
Earlier references (6)
- Repeals · BOE-A-1990-2211
- Repeals · BOE-A-1986-10125
- Repeals · BOE-A-1961-22449
- Transposes · DOUE-L-2000-81014
- Transposes · DOUE-L-1998-80770
- Official relationship · BOE-A-1995-24292
Subsequent references (4)
- Amended by · BOE-A-2026-22080
- Amended by · BOE-A-2015-7458
- Correction of printing errors · BOE-A-2001-11960
- Correction of printing errors · BOE-A-2001-10162
