Ga naar de inhoud

Stricter rules for working with hazardous substances in the Netherlands

Recently, new rules were introduced for working with substances that are hazardous to reproduction, also known as reprotoxic substances.

What are reprotoxic substances?

They include lead, medicines, hormones and glues, for example. These substances can also be found in solvents and pesticides. For some professions (e.g. cleaners, laboratory workers, painters and gardeners), working with reprotoxic substances is unavoidable. Exposure to these substances can affect fertility (of both men and women), pregnancy and lactation. Hence, employers should take more precautions to protect their employees from this. Just as this is already mandatory for working with substances that can cause cancer or DNA damage.

What has changed?

Europe has incorporated the new obligations in the Dangerous Substances Directive. Employers will have to take more precautions to protect their employees from the risks of reprotoxic substances. In addition, EU limits are set for the substances benzene, nickel compounds and acrylonitrile.

Each country must develop the directive into national legislation. In the Netherlands, the Occupational Health and Safety Decree and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations were amended for this purpose.

Note: although the Dutch rules are based on a European directive, on certain points the Dutch regulations are different (stricter!) than the minimum applicable within Europe.

On which points are the Dutch rules stricter than those in Europe?

  • Companies’ records of exposure are subject to a 40-year retention period in the Netherlands, instead of the 5 years mentioned in the European directive. This is in line with the retention period that already applied in the Netherlands for carcinogenic substances. The background is that this makes it easier to determine the consequences of exposure.
  • In the Netherlands, for reprotoxic substances for which it is not clear whether a safe value exists, stricter rules will apply compared to the directive. Employers in this case must always keep exposure as low as technically possible.

What are your obligations as an employer?

It is important to check whether these hazardous substances are handled within your company. Should this be the case, it is important to take the required precautions. The Netherlands Labour Inspectorate (Arbeidsinspectie) offers the option of carrying out a self-inspection, which consists of the following 4 steps:

  1. Inventory (make an overview of all hazardous substances in your company)
  2. Assess (assess the level of exposure of employees to dangerous substances)
  3. Measures (substitute dangerous substances, apply technical or organisational measures or provide personal protective equipment to employees)
  4. Assurance (ensure that everyone is aware of the measures and that everything is regularly checked for accuracy)


If you carry out the self-inspection, you will know what is already in order and what you can still improve: 

What can we do for you?

An occupational hygienist can investigate for you whether your employees are working under healthy conditions and advise on ways to improve the work situation. The prevention of health damage is central to this. It is also possible to schedule an appointment with a company doctor.

If you would like to use the services of Interfisc-Arbo, click here for more information or contact us by phone or via the contact form.

Keep up to date on the latest news!

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest information on employer obligations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany,  France, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Together, solution-oriented and caring

Since 1972, Interfisc has offered international HR & Payroll solutions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. We do this from our offices in the Netherlands and Belgium, and with an international team of around 45 committed and caring employees. 

Need to know more?

Questions about what needs to be done?
Our customer support team is at your service, you can reach us by phone or via the contact form.

Not found what you were looking for?

In the world of international employment, every situation is unique.
If our website does not provide the answers, please do not hesitate to contact us, together we can work out the best solution (to your needs).

Contact form

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Stay up to date on employer obligations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy.