Indicative limit value
Encyclopedia
In the law of the European Union, indicative limit values, more exactly indicative occupational exposure limit values (IOELVs), are human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...

 exposure limits to hazard
Hazard
A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes "active", it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is not...

ous substances
Chemical substance
In chemistry, a chemical substance is a form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties. It cannot be separated into components by physical separation methods, i.e. without breaking chemical bonds. They can be solids, liquids or gases.Chemical substances are...

 specified by the Council of the European Union
Council of the European Union
The Council of the European Union is the institution in the legislature of the European Union representing the executives of member states, the other legislative body being the European Parliament. The Council is composed of twenty-seven national ministers...

 based on expert research
Research
Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...

 and advice.

They are not binding on member states but must be taken into consideration in setting national occupational exposure limit
Occupational exposure limit
An occupational exposure limit is an upper limit on the acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in workplace air for a particular material or class of materials. It is typically set by competent national authorities and enforced by legislation to protect occupational safety and health...

s. Some member states have pre-existing national limits lower than the IOELV and are not required to revise these upwards. In practice, most member states adopt the IOELV but there are some variances upwards and downwards.

Legal basis

A system of IOELVs was first introduced in 1980 by directive 80/1107/EEC but the first list of 27 substances was not created until directive 91/322/EC in 1991. Member states had until 31 December 1993 to implement national limits. This first list was amended by directive 2006/15/EC in 2006 which transferred 10 of the 27 to a different regulatory regime. A second list was defined in directive 96/94/EEC but this was repeal
Repeal
A repeal is the amendment, removal or reversal of a law. This is generally done when a law is no longer effective, or it is shown that a law is having far more negative consequences than were originally envisioned....

ed by directive 2000/39/EC.

In 1998, directive 80/1107/EEC was repealed and replaced by a new regime under the chemical agents directive (directive 98/24/EC). The directive defines occupational exposure limit value as "the limit of the time-weighted average of the concentration
Concentration
In chemistry, concentration is defined as the abundance of a constituent divided by the total volume of a mixture. Four types can be distinguished: mass concentration, molar concentration, number concentration, and volume concentration...

 of a chemical agent in the air within the breathing zone of a worker over a specified reference period." Article 3 of the directive led to the creation of the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit Values
Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit Values
The Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit Values is a committee of the European Commission established in 1995 to advise on occupational exposure limits for chemicals in the workplace within the framework of:...

 to advise the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....

. There have subsequently been two directives establishing further lists of IOELVs: 2000/39/EC and 2006/15/EC. , the IOELVs under directive 91/322/EC remain in force but under review. A third list of IOELVs, now under directive 98/24/EC, is expected in the first half of 2008.
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