COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(90) 199 final - SYN 127 
Brussels, 22 May 1990 
Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
on the minimum safety and health requirements 
for work with display screen equipment 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 149.2(d) 
of the EEC treaty) 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
REGARDING THE REEXAMINED PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM 
SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK 
WITH DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT 
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 149(2)(d) OF THE EEC TREATY 
The initial proposal for this Directive had been submitted by the Commission 
on 11 March 1988 (1). 
The current version of the proposed Council Directive contains provisions 
regarding the design and ergonomics of workstations equipped with display 
screens. It also lays down obligations regarding the breaking up of working 
time and the medical surveillance of the workers concerned. The arrangements 
for worker training, information, consultation and participation are those 
instituted by Directive 89/391/EEC. 
The European Parliament (on the first reading) and the Economic and Social 
Committee delivered their opinions on 21 December 1988 and 28 September 1988 
respectively. 
On 28 April 1989, the Commission forwarded an amended version of its proposal 
(2) to the Council. 
The Council adopted a common position on 30 November 1989. This incorporates 
the changes contained in the amended Commission proposal and, hence, some of 
the amendments proposed by the European Parliament on the first reading. 
The European Parliament examined the common position on the second reading on 
4 April 1990 and adopted it subject to 30 amendments. 
The Commission agreed to incorporate 17 of these 30 amendments, either in 
whole or in part, into its reexamined proposal. 
It rejected 13 amendments, namely Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30, 
37 and 40. 
The Commission's opinions regarding the amendments which it did not adopt are 
set out below: 
(1) COM (88) 77 final 
(2) COM (89) 195 final 
J 
AMENDMENT No 1 
Amends references to workstations in the Directive. 
Comment : There is no point in making such a change since the definition in 
Article 2(b) clearly indicates the nature of the workstations. 
AMENDMENT No 2 
Asks for an "optimum level" of protection. 
Comment : The wording in the individual directives that have already been 
adopted must be retained. 
AMENDMENT No 4 
Mentions the consultation and participation of both sides of industry, as 
referred to in Directive 89/391/EEC(1). 
Comment : Repeating such a reference serves no useful purpose. 
AMENDMENT No 5 
Refers to the Commission's action programme, which provides for a Directive on 
pregnant women. 
Comment : Such a reference is inappropriate in view of the contents of the 
Directive. 
AMENDMENT No 8 
Introduces the concept of a computerized information system to define 
workstations. 
Comment : This concept is incompatible with the definitions in Article 2 of 
the Directive. 
AMENDMENT No 12 
Refers to the definition of "employer" in Directive 89/391/EEcC1). 
Comment : Repeating such a reference serves no useful purpose. 
AMENDMENT No 17 
Gives workers the right to request the employer to take measures against 
hazards. 
Comment : This right is already mentioned in Directive 89/391/EEcC1). 
(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1 
AMENDMENT No 18 
Institutes special provisions for pregnant women. 
Comment : The general problems associated with pregnant women at work will be 
dealt with in a broadly-based Commission proposal. 
AMENDMENT No 24 
Requires statistical data to be included in the report that the Member State 
will have to present to the Commission on the practical implementation of the 
Directive. 
Comment : There is no justification for mentioning such data here; they are 
not mentioned in the other individual directives. 
AMENDMENT No 25 
Requires the Commission to submit a report to the European Parliament during 
the period allowed for incorporating the Directive into national law. 
Comment : This obligation is not included in the other individual directives 
and there is no reason for it to be included here. Since the 
Directive will, during the period mentioned, only be at the stage of 
incorporation into national law, any considerations as to its 
implementation would be premature. 
AMENDMENT No 30 
Adds various requirements concerning seats. 
Comment : Such requirements are too detailed and are not of major importance. 
AMENDMENT No 37 
Changes the balanced participation of workers and/or their representatives 
into joint decision-making. 
Comment : In this area, it is necessary to remain faithful to the text already 
included in Directive 89/391/CEcC1) and in the other individual 
directives. 
AMENDMENT No 40 
Lays down additional requirements concerning the "operator/computer interface". 
Comment : These requirements seem to be too detailed. 
C1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1 
Xs 
REEXAMINED PROPOSAL Or THE COMMISSION 
FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM SAFETY 
AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS 
FOR WORK WITH DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT 
SUBMITTED DY THE COMMISSION 
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 149 (2)(d) OF THE EEC TREATY 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
THE COUNCIL 
COMMUNITIES, OF THE EUROPEAN 
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 designed to encourage 
improvements, especially in the 
working environment, to ensure a 
better level of protection of workers' 
safety and health; 
Whereas, under the terms of that 
Article, those Directives shall avoid 
imposing administrative, financial and 
legal constraints in a way 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 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; 
Whereas compliance with the minimum 
requirements for ensuring a better 
level of safety at workstations with 
display screens is essential for 
ensuring the safety and health of 
workers; 
Whereas this Directive is an 
individual Directive within the 
COMMON POSITION Of THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
meaning of Article 16(1) of Council 
Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 
on the introduction 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 display screen 
equipment, without prejudice to more 
stringent and/or specific provisions 
contained in the present Directive; 
Whereas employers are obliged to keep 
themselves informed of the latest 
advances in technology and scientific 
findings concerning workstation design 
so as to be able to guarantee a better 
level of protection of workers' safety 
and health; 
Whereas the ergonomie aspects are of 
particular importance for a 
workstation with display screen 
equipment; 
Whereas this Directive is a practical 
contribution towards creating the 
social dimension of the internal 
market; 
Whereas, pursuant to Decision 
74/325/EEC, the Advisory Committee on 
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: 
SECTION I 
General provisions 
Article 1 Whereas employers are obliged to keep 
themselves informed of the latest 
advances in technology and scientific 
findings concerning workstation design 
so that they can make any changes 
necessary so as to be able to 
guarantee a better level of protection 
of workers' safety and health; 
Subject 
tf 
COMMON POSITION Of THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
1. This Directive, which is the fifth 
individual Directive within the 
meaning of Article 16(1) of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down 
minimum safety and health 
requirements for work with display 
screen equipment as defined in 
Article 2. 
2. The provisions of Directive 
89/391/EEC are fully applicable to 
the whole field referred to in 
paragraph 1, without prejudice to 
more stringent and/or specific 
provisions contained in the present 
Directive. 
3. This Directive shall not apply to: 
(a) drivers' cabs or control cabs for 
vehicles or machinery; 
(b) computer systems on board a means 
of transport; 
(c) computer systems mainly intended (c) 
for public use; 
(d) "portable" systems not in 
prolonged use at a workstation; 
(e) calculators, cash registers and 
any equipment having a small data 
or measurement display required 
for direct use of the equipment; 
(f) typewriters of traditional 
design, of the type known as 
"typewriter with window". 
Article 2 
Definitions 
For the purposes of the Directive, the 
following terms shall have the 
following meanings: 
(a) display screen equipment: an 
alphanumeric or graphic display 
screen, regardless of the display 
process employed; computer systems intended 
exclusively for public use; 
9 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL. PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
(b) workstation: an assembly 
comprising display screen 
equipment, which may be provided 
with a keyboard or input device, 
peripherals including the 
diskette drive, software 
determining the operator/machine 
interface, printer, document 
holder, work chair and work desk 
or work surface, and the 
immediate work environment; (b) workstation: an assembly 
comprising display screen 
equipment, which may be provided 
with a keyboard or input device 
and/or software determining the 
operator/machine interface, 
optional accessories, peripherals 
including the diskette drive, 
telephone, modem, printer, 
document holder, work chair and 
work desk or work surface, and 
the immediate work environment; 
(c) worker: any worker as defined in 
Article 3(a) of Directive 
89/391/EEC who habitually uses 
display screen equipment as a 
significant part of his normal 
work. 
SECTION II 
Employers' obligations 
Article 3 
Analysis of workstations 
1. Employers shall be obliged to 
perform an analysis of 
workstations in order to evaluate 
the safety and health conditions 
to which they give rise for their 
workers, particularly as regards 
possible risks to eyesight, 
physical problems and problems of 
mental stress. 
Employers shall take appropriate 
measures to remedy the risks 
found, on the basis of the 
evaluation referred to in 
paragraph 1. Employers shall take appropriate 
measures to remedy the risks found 
on the basis of the evaluation 
referred to in paragraph 1, taking 
particular account of their 
cumulative effects. 
Article 4 
Workstations put into service 
for the first time 
Employers must take the appropriate 
steps to ensure that workstations 
first put into service after 31 
December 1992 meet the minimum Ao 
COMMON POSITION Of THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
Article 5 
Workstations already put 
into service 
Employers must take the appropriate 
steps to ensure that workstations 
already put into service on or before 
31 December 1992 are adapted to comply 
with the minimum requirements laid 
down in the Annex not later than four 
years after that date. 
Article 6 
Information for, and training 
of workers 
Without prejudice to Article 10 of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, workers 
and/or their representatives shall 
also receive information on all 
aspects of safety and health 
relating to their workstation, in 
particular information on such 
measures applicable to workstations 
as are implemented under Article 3 
and, where appropriate, Articles 7 
and 9. Without prejudice to Article 10 of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, workers shall 
receive information on all aspects 
of safety and health relating to 
their workstations, in particular 
information on such measures 
applicable to workstations as are 
implemented under Article 3 and, 
where appropriate, Articles 7 and 9. 
In all cases, workers or their 
representatives shall be informed 
of any health and safety measure 
taken in compliance with this 
Directive. 
Without prejudice to Article 12 of 
Directive 89/391/EEC, every worker 
shall also receive training in use 
of the workstation before 
commencing this type of work and 
whenever the organization of the 
workstation is substantially 
modified. 
Article 7 
Daily work routine 
A A 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
ITS IECOND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
The employer must plan the workers' 
activities in such a way that daily 
work on a display screen is 
periodically interrupted by breaks or 
changes of activity reducing the 
workload at the display screen. 
Article 8 
Worker consultation and 
participation 
Consultation and participation of 
workers and/or their representatives 
shall take place in accordance with 
Article 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC on 
the matters covered by this Directive, 
including its Annex. 
Article 9 The employer must plan the workers' 
activities in such a way that daily 
work on a display screen is 
periodically interrupted by breaks or 
changes of activity reducing the 
workload at the display screen. With 
work that imposes a fixed posture 
and/or places continuous strain on the 
eyes, adequate breaks shall be allowed 
during every hour of such work; the 
frequency of such breaks may be 
changed at the request of the worker. 
Protection of workers' eyes 
and eyesight 
1. Workers shall be entitled to an 
appropriate eye and eyesight test: 
- before commencing display screen 
work, 
- at regular intervals thereafter, and 
- if they experience visual 
difficulties which may be due to 
display screen work. 
2. Workers shall be entitled to an 
ophthalmological examination if the 
results of the test referred to in 
paragraph 1 show that this is 
necessary. 
3. If the results of the test referred 
to in paragraph 1 or of the 
examination referred to in 
paragraph 2 show that it is Workers shall be entitled to an 
appropriate eye and eyesight test 
carried out by a person with 
qualifications recognized for this 
purpose! 
If the results of the test referred 
to in paragraph 1 or of the 
examination referred to in 
paragraph 2 show that it is 
4< 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING Or 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
necessary and if normal corrective 
appliances cannot be used, workers 
must be provided with special 
corrective appliances appropriate 
for the work concerned. necessary, workers must be provided 
with special corrective appliances 
appropriate for the work concerned. 
4. Measures 
Article 
involve workers 
financial cost. taken pursuant to this 
may in no circumstances 
in additional 4. Measures taken pursuant to this 
Article may in no circumstances 
involve workers in financial cost. 
5. Protection of workers' eyes and 
eyesight may be provided as part of 
a national health system. 
SECTION III 
Miscellaneous provisions 
Article 10 
Adaptations to the Annex 
The strictly technical adaptations to 
the Annex to take account of technical 
progress, developments in 
international regulations and 
specifications and knowledge in the 
field of display screen equipment 
shall be adopted in accordance with 
the procedure laid down in Article 17 
of Directive 89/391/EEC. 
Article 11 
1. Member States shall bring into 
force the laws, regulations and 
administrative provisions necessary 
to comply with this Directive by 31 
December 1992. 
They shall forthwith 
Commission thereof. inform the The provisions adopted pursuant to 
the first sub-paragraph shall make 
express reference to this Directive. 
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. 
13> 
COMMON POSITION Or THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
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 
European Parliament, the Council, 
the Economic and Social Committee 
and the Advisory Committee on 
Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work. 
4. The Commission shall submit a 
report on the implementation of 
this Directive at regular intervals 
to the European Parliament, the 
Council and the Economic and Social 
Committee, taking into account 
paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. 
Article 12 
This Directive is addressed to the 
Member States. 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. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
The President 
ANNEX 
Minimum requirements 
(Articles 4 and 5) 
Preliminary remarks 
The obligations laid down in this 
Annex shall apply in order to achieve 
the objectives of this Directive and 
to the extent that, firstly, the 
components concerned are present at 
the workstation, and secondly, the 
inherent requirements or 
characteristics of the task do not 
preclude it. 
1. Equipment 
1H 
COMMON POSITION Or THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
(«0 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 equipment, when in use, 
put the workers at risk. shall not 
The image on the screen should be 
stable, with no flickering or 
other forms of instability. 
The brightness and/or the 
contrast between the characters 
and the background shall be 
easily adjustable by the 
operator, and also be easily 
adjustable to ambient conditions. 
The screen must swivel and tilt 
easily and freely 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 
reflective glare and reflections. The screen shall be free of 
reflective glare and reflections 
liable to cause discomfort to the 
user. 
(b) Keyboard 
The keyboard shall be tiltable 
and separate from the screen so 
as to allow the worker to find a 
comfortable working position 
avoiding 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. 
s\S 
COMMON POSITION Or THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
IT* 5ECOND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
The arrangement of the keyboard 
and the characteristics of the 
keys shall be such as to 
facilitate the use of the 
keyboard. 
The symbols on the keys shall be 
adequately contrasted and legible 
from the design working position. 
(c) Work desk or work surface 
The work desk or work surface 
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 
positioned so as to minimize the 
need for uncomfortable head and 
eye movements. 
There shall be adequate space for 
workers to find a comfortable 
position. 
(d) Work chair 
The work chair shall be stable 
and allow the operator easy 
freedom of movement and a 
comfortable position. 
The seat shall be adjustable in 
height. 
The seat back shall be adjustable 
in both height and tilt. 
A footrest shall be made 
available to anyone who wishes 
for one. 
2. Environment The document holder shall be stable 
and adjustable in all directions 
and for tilt. Where appropriate, it 
shall be placed in a suitable 
position between the keyboard and 
screen so as to minimize the r\Qed 
for constant head and eye movements. 
Space requirements 
The workstation shall be 
dimensioned and designed so as to 
provide sufficient space for the 
46 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
user to change position and vary 
movements. 
(a) Lighting 
Suitable ambient lighting is 
required so as to provide 
satisfactory 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 so as not to cause 
glare or reflections on the 
screen. Room lighting and spot lighting (work 
lamps) shall ensure satisfactory 
lighting conditions and an appropriate 
contrast between the screen and the 
background environment, taking into 
account the type of work and the 
user's vision requirements. 
Glare and reflections on the screen or 
other equipment shall be prevented by 
coordinating workplace and workstation 
layout with the positioning and 
technical characteristics of the 
artificial light sources. 
(b) Reflections and glare 
Workstations shall be so designed 
that sources of light, such as 
windows or lamps, and brightly 
coloured fixtures or walls cause 
no direct glare and, as far as 
possible, no reflections on the 
screen. Workstations shall be designed so that 
sources of light such as windows, 
skylights, transparent or translucent 
doors or walls and brightly coloured 
fixtures or walls cause no direct 
glare and no disturbing reflections on 
the screen. 
Windows shall be fitted with a 
suitable system of adjustable 
covering to attenuate the 
daylight that falls on the 
workstation. 
(c) Noise 
Noise emitted by equipment 
belonging to workstation(s) shall 
be taken into account when a 
workstation is being equipped, in 
particular so as not to distract 
attention or disturb speech. 
(d) Heat 
Equipment belonging to 
workstation(s) shall not produce 
excess heat which could cause 
discomfort to workers. 
1> 
COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AT ITS SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence of text in this column 
means that the Common Position 
remains unchanged). 
(e) Radiation 
All radiation with the exception 
of the visible part of the 
electro-magnetic spectrum shall 
be reduced to negligible levels 
from the point of view of the 
protection of workers' safety and 
health. 
(f) Humidity 
An adequate 
shall be 
maintained. level of humidity 
established and 
3. Operator/computer interface 
In selecting and commissioning 
software, and in designing tasks 
using computer screens, the 
employer shall take into account 
the following principles: 
(a) software must be suitable for 
the task; In designing, selecting, 
commissioning and modifying 
software and in designing tasks 
using display screen equipment, the 
employer shall take into account 
the following principles: 
(b) software must be easy to use 
and, where appropriate, 
adaptable to the operator's 
level of knowledge or 
experience; 
no clandestine checking devices 
may be used without the 
operator's knowledge ; No quantitative or qualitative 
checking facility may be used 
without the agreement of the 
workers. 
(c) systems must provide feedback 
to workers on their performance; 
(d) systems must display 
information in a format and at 
a pace which are adapted to 
operators; 
(e) the principles of software 
ergonomics must be applied, in 
particular to human data 
processing. 
A% 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(90) 199 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 05 
Catalogue numbei ; CD-CO-90 193-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-59908-1 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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