26. 5. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 130/5 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Amended proposal for a Council Directive concerning the minimum safety and health 
requirements for work with viusal display units (') 
(Fourth individual Directive falling within the terms of Article 16 of Directive . . .) 
COM(89) 195 final — SYN 127 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to the third paragraph of Article 149 of the EEC Treaty on 
28 April 1989) 
(89/C 130/07) 
(') OJ No C 113, 29. 4. 1988, p. 7. 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL BASED ON THE 
COM(88) 77 final OPINION DELIVERED BY THE EUROPEAN 
(OJ No C 113, 29. 4. 1988) PARLIAMENT ON 14 DECEMBER 1988 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 118A 
thereof, 
Having regard to the Commission proposal, drawn up 
after consultation with the Advisory Committee on 
Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas Article 118A of the Treaty provides that the 
Council shall adopt, by means of directives, minimum 
requirements for encouraging improvements as regards 
the health and safety of workers, especially in the 
working environment; 
Whereas Article 118A also recommends that directives 
shall avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal 
constraints which would hold back the creation and 
development of small and medium-sized undertakings; 
Whereas the communication from the Commission on its 
programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at 
work provides for the adoption of directives designed to 
guarantee the safety and health of workers; THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Whereas Article 118A of the Treaty provides that the 
Council shall adopt, by means of directives, minimum 
requirements designed to encourage improvements, 
especially in the working environment, to ensure better 
protection of the safety and health of workers; 
Deleted 
Whereas the communication from the Commission on its 
programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at 
work provides for the adoption of measures in respect of 
new technologies; whereas the Council has taken note 
thereof in its resolution of 21 December 1987 on safety, 
hygiene and health at work. 
No C 130/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 5. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Whereas Member States have a responsibility to ensure 
the safety and health of persons on their territory, and of 
workers in particular; Deleted 
Whereas compliance with the minimum requirements for 
ensuring a better level of safety at workstations with 
visual display units (VDUs) is essential for ensuring the 
safety and health of workers and whereas these 
requirements are also essential to promote fair comp­
etition; 
Whereas this Directive is an individual Directive within 
the meaning of Article 16 of the Directive on the intro­
duction of measures to encourage improvements in the 
safety and health of workers at work; whereas the 
provisions of the latter are therefore fully applicable to 
the use by workers of VDUs, without prejudice to more 
stringent and/or specific provisions contained in the 
present Directive; 
Whereas Member States' legislative systems differ widely 
with regard to the prevention of risks relating to work 
with visual display units (VDUs); Whereas the Member States' national provisions applying 
to VDU work stations, which often include technical 
specifications and/or voluntary standards, may result in 
different levels of safety and health protection for 
workers; 
Whereas Council Directive 83/189/EEC of 28 March 
1983 lays down a procedure for the provision of infor­
mation in the field of technical standards and regu­
lations; Deleted 
Whereas, in order to achieve the maximum degree of 
protection which is reasonably practicable, it is essential 
that workers and their representatives be informed of the 
risks to their safety and health and of the measures 
required to reduce or eliminate these risks, and be 
allowed to verify that the necessary protective measures 
have indeed been taken; Deleted 
Whereas employers must keep abreast of technological 
progress in order to provide optimum safety and health 
protection for their workers; Unchanged 
Whereas the requirements for work with VDUs are 
essentially expressed in terms of the desired results; Whereas the ergonomic aspects are of particular 
importance for a VDU work station; 
Whereas under the new approach to technical harmon­
ization and standards it is desirable to have access to 
technical reports detailing certain technical specifi­
cations; Deleted 
Whereas a committee composed of members nominated 
by the Member States needs to be set up to assist the 
Commission in implementing the supplementary 
measurees provided for by the Directive, Deleted 
26. 5. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 130/7 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
1. This Directive, which is an individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 13 of Directive . . ., lays 
down minimum safety and health requirements for work 
with visual display units (VDUs) as defined in Article 2. 
2. This Directive shall apply to all work stations 
equipped with a VDU. 
It shall not apply to drivers' cabs or control cabs for 
vehicles or machinery, nor to onboard computer systems. 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive, the following terms 
have the meaning hereby assigned to them: 
— 'Visual display unit': an alphanumeric screen, 
regardless of the display process employed. 
— 'Work station': the assembly comprising the display 
screen, keyboard, peripherals including the printer, 
the manuscript containing the data, the work chair, 
the work desk, and the immediate work environment. AMENDED PROPOSAL 
Whereas, pursuant to Decision 74/325/EEC ('), the 
Advisory Committee for Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work shall be consulted by the 
Commission on the drawing up of proposals in this field, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
1. This Directive, which is an individual Directive 
within the meaning of Article 16 of the Directive on the 
introduction of measures to encourage improvements in 
the safety and health of workers at work, lays down 
minimum requirements for safety and health for work 
with visual display units (VDUs) as defined in Article 2. 
2. The provisions of the Directive referred to in 
paragraph 1 are fully applicable to the use by workers of 
personal protective equipment (sic) at work, without 
prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions 
contained in the present Directive. 
It shall not apply to: 
— drivers' cabs or control cabs for vehicles or 
machinery, 
— onboard computer systems, 
— computer systems mainly intended for public use, 
— 'portable' systems intended for occasional use, 
— CAD (computer aided design) terminals, 
— calculators and cash registers, 
— typewriters not possessing a separate screen display. 
Article 2 
— Unchanged 
— 'Work station': an assembly that may comprise the 
following: display screen, keyboard, peripherals, 
including diskette drive, printer, document holder, 
work chair, work desk, and the immediate work 
environment. 
(') OJ No L 185, 9. 7. 1974. 
No C 130/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 5. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
— 'Worker': any person using a VDU. 
Article 3 
1. Member States shall take all necessary measures to 
ensure that VDU work cannot compromise the safety or 
health of workers. — 'Worker': any worker as defined in the Directive 
referred to in Article 1 (1), who regularly uses a 
VDU, even if for only part of the time. 
Article 3 
The Member States shall provide for adequate checks 
and supervision to ensure the implementation of this 
Directive. 
2. Member States shall ensure that the necessary 
checks pursuant to paragraph 1 are carried out. Deleted 
Article 4 
1. Employers shall be obliged to perform an analysis 
of work stations in order to evaluate the safety and 
health risks to workers. Article 4 
Unchanged 
2. They shall, where necessary, take appropriate 
remedial measures in the light of the risks found. 2. They shall take appropriate measures to eliminate 
the risks found. 
Article 5 
Work stations put into service two years after the entry 
into force of this Directive shall take into account at 
least the minimum requirements laid down in the Annex 
to this Directive. Article 5 
Workstations put into service after the entry into force 
of this Directive shall take into account the minimum 
requirements laid down in the Annex to this Directive. 
Article 6 
Existing work stations not covered by Article 5 shall be 
adapted, in so far as is reasonably possible, to comply 
with the minimum requirements laid down in the Annex 
to this Directive. Article 6 
Work stations already in place when this Directive enters 
into force shall be adapted to comply with the minimum 
requirements laid down in the Annex not later than two 
years after the entry into force of this Directive. 
Article 6a 
Workers or their representatives shall be entitled to 
submit proposals to the employer concerning specific 
measures regarding the organization and equipping of 
VDU work stations. 
Article 7 
1. Every worker involved in VDU work shall receive 
adequate training before commencing this type of work 
and at regular intervals thereafter. Article 7 
1. Every worker who uses a VDU at his/her work 
station shall receive training in its use before 
commencing this type of work and whenever the organ­
ization of the work station is substantially modified. 
26. 5. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 130/9 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
2. Workers shall receive information on all aspects of 
health and safety relating to their work station, including 
the possible effects on their eyes and physical or mental 
problems. Unchanged 
Article 7a (new) 
The employer shall ensure that daily working time on a 
VDU is appropriately divided up. 
Article 8 
Workers or their representatives shall be consulted by the 
employer on the measures taken pursuant to this 
Directive which concern them directly, and in particular 
on the measures taken pursuant to Article 6. Article 8 
In accordance with Article 11 of the Directive referred to 
in Article 1 (1) of the present Directive, workers or their 
representatives: 
— shall be consulted on the implementation of the 
provisions of Articles 5 and 6, 
— shall take part in deciding the arrangements for 
dividing up daily working time on VDUs. 
Article 9 
Workers shall have an appropriate ophthalmological 
examination prior to commencing VDU work and if 
they report visual discomforts which may be connected 
with the work. 
The worker shall be provided with special glasses tested 
for the work concerned if an ophthalmological exam­
ination shwos that they are required and that glasses 
intended for normal purposes cannot be used. Article 9 
Unchanged 
Article 10 
1. The Commission shall adapt the Annex to this 
Directive to take account of technical progress and 
developments in regulations, giving priority to the 
European standards. Article 10 
For the purpose of adapting the Annex to take account 
of: 
— technical progress, developments in international 
regulations and specifications and knowledge in the 
field of VDUs, the Commission shall be assisted by 
the Committee in accordance with the procedure laid 
down in Article 17 of the Directive referred to in 
Article 1 (1) of the present Directive. 
2. For the purpose of making the adaptations referred 
to in paragraph 1 the Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee, following the procedure laid down in Article 
14 of Directive ... Deleted 
Article 11 
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to 
comply with this Directive by 1 January 1991 at the 
latest and shall forthwith inform the Commission 
thereof. Article 11 
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to 
comply with this Directive by the date on which the 
Directive referred to in Article 1 (1) of the present 
Directive is to enter into force and shall forthwith inform 
the Commission thereof. 
No C 130/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 5. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
2. Member States shall communicate to the 
Commission the texts of the provisions of national law 
which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive. 
Any technical regulations which Member States intend to 
adopt under this Directive shall be communicated to the 
Commission at the draft stage in accordance with the 
procedure laid down in Article 8 of Council Directive 
83/189/EEC of 28 March 1983 laying down a 
procedure for the provision of information in the field of 
technical standards and regulations. 2. Member States shall communicate to the 
Commission the texts of the provisions of national law 
which they adopt, or have already adopted, in the field 
covered by this Directive. 
3. Member States shall report to the Commission 
every two years on the practical implementation of the 
provisions of this Directive, indicating the points of view 
of employers and workers. The Commission shall inform 
the committee and the tripartite committee. 3. Member States shall report to the Commission 
every five years on the practical implementation of the 
provisions of this Directive, indicating the points of view 
of employers and workers. The Commission shall inform 
the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic 
and Social Committee, the Advisory Committee on 
Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work and the 
committee provided for under Article 17 of the Directive 
referred to in Article 1 (1) of the present Directive. 
4. The Commission shall submit a report on the 
implementation of this Directive at regular intervals to 
the Council, the European Parliament and the Economic 
and Social Committee, taking into account the provisions 
of paragraphs (2) and (3). 
Article 12 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Article 12 
Unchanged 
ANNEX ANNEX 
The requirements laid down in this Annex shall apply as and 
where appropriate, depending on the presence of the 
components considered in the work station and on the demands 
of the task in question. 
1. Display Screen 
The characters on the screen shall be well-defined and 
clearly formed, of adequate size and with adequate spacing 
between the characters and lines. The image on the screen 
should be stable, with no flickering or other forms of insta­
bility. 1. Display screen 
Unchanged 
The brightness contrast between the characters and the back- Unchanged 
ground shall be easily adjustable by the operator. 
The screen shall, as far as reasonably practicable, be 
rotatable, tiltable and movable to suit the needs of the 
operator. The screen shall be easily and freely rotatable and tiltable to 
suit the needs of the operator. It shall be possible to use a 
separate base for the screen or an adjustable table. The 
screen shall be free of reflections. 
26. 5. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 130/11 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
2. Keyboard 
The keyboard shall be separate from the screen so as to 
allow the worker to find a suitable working position avoiding 
muscle fatigue in the arms and hands. The space around the 
keyboard shall be sufficient to provide support for the hands 
and arms of the operator. 2. Keyboard 
The keyboard shall be inclined and separate from the screen 
so as to allow the worker to find a comfortable working 
position avoiding muscle fatigue in the arms or hands. The 
space in front of the keyboard shall be sufficient to provide 
support for the hands and arms of the operator. 
The keyboard shall have a matt surface to avoid reflective 
glare; the keys shall have low-reflectance surfaces and 
concave tops. Unchanged 
The symbols on the keys shall be adequately contrasted. 
3. Work desk Unchanged 
The work desk shall have a sufficiently large, low-reflectance 
surface and allow a flexible arrangement of the screen, 
keyboard, documents and related equipment. 
The document holder shall be situated on the desk on the 
same level as the display screen to minimize the need for 
rapid head and eye movements. 
Adequate leg space is necessary. 
4. Work chair 
The work chair shall be stable but allow the worker easy 
freedom of movement. 4. Work chair 
Unchanged 
The seat height shall be adjustable and all chairs shall have 
back rests adjustable in height and tilt. The possible need for 
a footrest shall be taken into account. The seat shall be adjustable in height. The seat back shall be 
adjustable in both height and tilt to ensure a comfortable 
position for the operator. A footrest shall be made available 
to anyone who wishes one. 
5. Lighting Unchanged 
Suitable ambient lighting is required so as to provide satis­
factory working conditions and an appropriate contrast 
between the screen and the background environment. 
Lamps for secondary activities shall be provided where 
necessary; they shall be adjustable but shall not cause glare 
or reflections on the screen. 
6. Reflections and glare Unchanged 
A VDU shall be positioned so that neither the screen nor the 
operator are facing a window. Windows shall be fitted with a 
suitable system of adjustable covering. 
No C 130/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 5. 89 
COMMISSION PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
7. Noise 
The printer shall be placed where it does not distract 
attention or disturb speech. 7. Noise 
Noise from equipment (printer, diskette drive, built-in fan, 
etc.) shall be taken into account when the work station is 
being equipped, in particular so as not to distract attention or 
disturb speech. 
7. (a) Heat 
The heat generated by computer equipment shall not cause 
discomfort. 
7. (b) Radiation 
A constant effort shall be made to reduce the radiation 
emitted by equipment that includes a display screen. 
8. Humidity 
An adequate level of humidity shall be established and main­
tained. Unchanged 
9. Operator/computer interface 
The psycho-social factors applicable to work on screen and 
program writing (software development) shall be taken into 
account. 
The principles of software ergonomics shall be applied in 
particular to human data processing and decision-making 
capacities. 9. Operator/computer interface 
The psycho-social factors applicable to the writing of 
programs (software) and to the tasks resulting from such 
programs shall be taken into account; no clandestine indi­
vidual checks (tell-tale devices) may be built into the 
programs. 
The principles of software ergonomics shall be applied in 
particular to human data processing.