Commission Recommendation (EU) 2025/2609 of 18 December 2025 concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases
Date: 2025-12-18
Institutions: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Subjects: data collection, disease prevention, health statistics, indemnification, labour law, occupational disease, occupational health








L_202502609EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/2609


22.12.2025







            COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION (EU) 2025/2609
of 18 December 2025
         
concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof,

Whereas:







(1)


With Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2337 (1), the Commission recommended to the Member States that they implement a series of measures with the objective of updating and improving various aspects of their policies relating to occupational diseases. Those measures relate to the recognition of, compensation for, and prevention of occupational diseases, the setting of national objectives for the reduction of occupational illnesses, the reporting and recording of occupational diseases, the collection of data concerning the epidemiology of diseases, the promotion of research in the field of ailments linked to an occupational activity, the improvement of diagnosis of occupational diseases, the dissemination of statistical and epidemiological data on occupational diseases, and the promotion of an active role for national public health and healthcare systems in preventing occupational diseases.












(2)


Asbestos is a dangerous carcinogenic agent, which still affects various economic sectors, such as building renovation, mining and quarrying, waste management and firefighting, in which workers can be at high risk of exposure. It is estimated that currently between 4,1 and 7,3 million workers are exposed to asbestos (2). Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen category 1A pursuant to Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). Occupational cancer is the main cause of work-related deaths in the Union (4), being primarily caused by exposures to carcinogenic substances, such as asbestos. It is estimated that 75 % of cancer cases recognised as occupational in the Member States are asbestos-related (5). The progressive restriction of the use of asbestos in the Union started in 1988, whilst since 2005 the manufacture, placing on the market and use of asbestos is prohibited in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council (REACH) (6). Despite this, there is a substantial legacy problem, as asbestos is still present in many older buildings. These are likely to be renovated, adapted or demolished over the coming years. The exposure of workers to asbestos is expected to increase in all Member States as the Renovation Wave Strategy (7) progresses. Moreover, asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period. As the first signs of illness may take as much as 30 years or longer from the moment of exposure to manifest, asbestos-related deaths and illnesses due to exposure that happened before the 2005 ban are expected to occur until the late 2020s and 2030s.












(3)


In this context, effectively reducing exposure to carcinogenic substances such as asbestos became one of the objectives of the Commission’s Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (8) and Zero-Pollution Action Plan (9). In addition, Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (10) on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work has been amended by Directive (EU) 2023/2668 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11), which, amongst other amendments, significantly lowered the applicable occupational exposure limit value for asbestos.












(4)


Recommendation (EU) 2022/2337 includes several asbestos-related diseases. In Annex I to the Recommendation, which contains the European schedule of occupational diseases: asbestosis, mesothelioma following the inhalation of asbestos dust, complication of asbestos in the form of bronchial cancer, fibrotic diseases of the pleura, with respiratory restriction, caused by asbestos and lung cancer following the inhalation of asbestos dust. In Annex II to the Recommendation, which contains an additional list of diseases suspected of being occupational in origin and which may be considered at a later stage for inclusion in the European schedule of occupational diseases: cancer of the larynx following the inhalation of asbestos dust.












(5)


Following the adoption of the Commission Communication on working towards an asbestos-free future (12), the tripartite Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH), taking into account the draft opinion of the dedicated Working Party and the opinion of the Technical Experts Group set up to support the work on the possible need to include additional asbestos-related diseases to the Commission Recommendation concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases, on 29 May 2024, adopted an opinion (13) on the need to update the Commission Recommendation concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases by including additional asbestos-related diseases.












(6)


Taking into account the opinion of the ACSH, the following asbestos-related diseases should be added in Annex I: cancer of the larynx caused by asbestos (in lieu of the current entry ‘cancer of the larynx following the inhalation of asbestos dust’ in Annex II to the Recommendation), cancer of the ovary caused by asbestos, pleural plaques with functional impairment of the lungs caused by asbestos, and non-malignant pleural effusion caused by asbestos. In addition, in Annex II, the following diseases should be added: colon cancer caused by asbestos, rectum cancer caused by asbestos, and stomach cancer caused by asbestos.












(7)


Moreover, certain typographical errors in the Annexes to Recommendation (EU) 2022/2337 should be corrected. This concerns the entries ‘302 Complication of asbestos in the form of bronchial cancer’, which should read ‘302 Complication of asbestosis in the form of bronchial cancer’ and ‘2.108 Thiopene’, which should read ‘2.108 Thiophene’.












(8)


Even though the recognition of occupational diseases is a matter closely linked to the design of social security systems, which is a Member State competence, the Commission promotes the recognition by Member States of the occupational diseases listed in the European schedule of occupational diseases. As stated in the Commission’s Communication ‘EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027 – Occupational safety and health in a changing world of work’ (14) (‘EU Strategic Framework’), there remains a need to increase focus on occupational diseases. In line with the general principles of prevention which form the core of Council Directive 89/391/EEC (15) on safety and health at work and the related health and safety at work directives (16), this Recommendation should be an essential complementary instrument for the prevention of occupational diseases at Union level. Moreover, it is important to support workers who have fallen ill and families who have lost family members because of work exposure.












(9)


In line with the EU Strategic Framework, Member States should be called on to actively involve all players, in particular social partners, in developing measures for the effective prevention of occupational diseases.












(10)


The EU Strategic Framework refers to the need for a strengthened evidence base to underpin legislation and policy, and for research and data collection, both at Union and national level, as a pre-condition for the prevention of work-related diseases and accidents. Cooperation and exchange of information, experience and best practice is critical for improved analysis and prevention across the Union.












(11)


The recommendation to the Member States to forward to the Commission and make available to interested parties statistical and epidemiological data on occupational diseases recognised at national level remains relevant, taking into account Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (17) on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work as well as in light of developments linked to the European Occupational Diseases Statistics (EODS).












(12)


The role of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, established by Regulation (EU) 2019/126 of the European Parliament and of the Council (18), is, inter alia, to supply the Union institutions and bodies and the Member States with the objective technical, scientific and economic information available and the qualified expertise they require to formulate and implement judicious and effective policies designed to protect the safety and health of workers, and to collect, analyse and disseminate technical, scientific and economic information in the Member States. Accordingly, the Agency should also play an important part in the exchange of information, experience and best practice on the prevention of occupational diseases.












(13)


National public health and healthcare systems can play an important part in improving prevention of occupational illnesses, for example by raising awareness among medical staff with a view to improving knowledge and diagnosis of these illnesses.












(14)


As it is necessary to add the diseases referred to in recital 6 in the Recommendation concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases and to correct some typographical errors in its text, this Recommendation replaces Recommendation (EU) 2022/2337,





RECOMMENDS:








I.


Without prejudice to more favourable national laws or regulations, it is recommended that the Member States:






1.


introduce as soon as possible into their national laws, regulations or administrative provisions concerning scientifically recognised occupational diseases liable for compensation and subject to preventive measures, the European schedule of occupational diseases set out in Annex I;










2.


take steps to introduce into their national laws, regulations or administrative provisions the right of a worker to compensation in respect of occupational diseases if the worker is suffering from an ailment which is not listed in Annex I but which can be proved to be occupational in origin and nature, particularly if the ailment is listed in Annex II;










3.


develop and improve effective preventive measures for the occupational diseases mentioned in the European schedule of occupational diseases set out in Annex I, actively involving all players and, where appropriate, exchanging information, experience and best practice via the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work;










4.


draw up quantified national objectives with a view to reducing the rates of recognised occupational illnesses, in particular those included in the European schedule of occupational diseases set out in Annex I;










5.


ensure that all cases of occupational diseases are reported and progressively make their statistics on occupational diseases compatible with the European schedule of occupational diseases set out in Annex I, in accordance with the work being done on the system of harmonising European statistics on occupational diseases, so that information on the causative agent or factor, the medical diagnosis and the sex of the patient is available for each case of occupational disease;










6.


introduce a system for the collection of information or data concerning the epidemiology of the diseases listed in Annex II and any other disease of an occupational nature;










7.


promote research in the field of ailments linked to an occupational activity, in particular the ailments listed in Annex II and the disorders of a psychosocial nature related to work;










8.


ensure that documents to assist in the diagnosis of occupational diseases included in their national schedules are disseminated widely, taking account in particular of the notices for the diagnosis of occupational diseases published by the Commission;










9.


forward to the Commission and make available to interested parties statistical and epidemiological data on occupational diseases recognised at national level, in particular via the information network set up by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work;










10.


promote an active role for national healthcare systems in preventing occupational diseases, in particular by raising awareness among medical staff with a view to improving knowledge and diagnosis of these illnesses.














II.


The Member States should determine the criteria for the recognition of each occupational disease in accordance with their national laws or practices in force.










III.


The Member States are invited to inform the Commission, no later than 31 December 2026, of the measures taken or envisaged in response to the diseases listed under Nos 311 to 314 in Annex I and the diseases listed under Nos 2.309, 2.310 and 2.311 in Annex II. The Member States should inform the Commission whenever any new measures are taken in relation to the implementation of this Recommendation.







Done at Brussels, 18 December 2025.


For the Commission

Roxana MÎNZATU
            

Executive Vice-President






(1)  Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/2337 of 28 November 2022 concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases (OJ L 309, 30.11.2022, p. 12, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2022/2337/oj).

(2)  
            Study on collecting information on substances with the view to analyse health, socio-economic and environmental impacts in connection with possible amendments of Directive 98/24/EC (Chemical Agents) and Directive 2009/148/EC (Asbestos) – Publications Office of the EU.

(3)  Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1272/oj).

(4)  
            https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/Summary_OSH_in_Europe_state_trends.pdf.

(5)  
            European occupational diseases statistics – Experimental statistics – Eurostat The data relates to the years 2013-2022 and EU-27 (except Germany, Greece and Portugal for which data was not available). Additional data is included in the Commission Staff Working Document – Impact Assessment accompanying the Commission’s proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (SWD(2022) 311 final), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SWD:2022:0311:FIN:EN:PDF.

(6)  Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj).

(7)  See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions, A Renovation Wave for Europe – greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives (COM(2020) 662 final).

(8)  
            26fc415a-1f28-4f5b-9bfa-54ea8bc32a3a_en.

(9)  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All, EU Action Plan: ‘Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ (COM(2021) 400 final) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0400&qid=1623311742827.

(10)  Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (OJ L 330 16.12.2009, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/148/oj).

(11)  Directive (EU) 2023/2668 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 November 2023 amending Directive 2009/148/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (OJ L, 2023/2668, 30.11.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2023/2668/oj).

(12)  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and Committee of the Regions on working towards an asbestos-free future: a European approach to addressing the health risks of asbestos (COM(2022) 488 final).

(13)  
            https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/cb9293be-4563-4f19-89cf-4c4588bd6541/library/2f88a8c0-cdc2-4b40-ae20-a1718f4f3cbd/details.

(14)  COM(2021) 323 final.

(15)  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 (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1989/391/oj).

(16)  
            https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/rights-work/health-and-safety-work_en.

(17)  Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 70, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1338/oj).

(18)  Regulation (EU) 2019/126 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 January 2019 establishing the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 (OJ L 30, 31.1.2019, p. 58, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/126/oj).




ANNEX I
European schedule of occupational diseases
The diseases mentioned in this schedule must be linked directly to the occupation. The Commission will determine the criteria for recognising each of the occupational diseases listed hereunder:
1.   Diseases caused by the following chemical agents:









100


Acrylonitrile












101


Arsenic or compounds thereof












102


Beryllium (glucinium) or compounds thereof












103.01


Carbon monoxide












103.02


Carbon oxychloride












104.01


Hydrocyanic acid












104.02


Cyanides and compounds thereof












104.03


Isocyanates












105


Cadmium or compounds thereof












106


Chromium or compounds thereof












107


Mercury or compounds thereof












108


Manganese or compounds thereof












109.01


Nitric acid












109.02


Oxides of nitrogen












109.03


Ammonia












110


Nickel or compounds thereof












111


Phosphorus or compounds thereof












112


Lead or compounds thereof












113.01


Oxides of sulphur












113.02


Sulphuric acid












113.03


Carbon disulphide












114


Vanadium or compounds thereof












115.01


Chlorine












115.02


Bromine












115.04


Iodine












115.05


Fluorine or compounds thereof












116


Aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbons derived from petroleum spirit or petrol












117


Halogenated derivatives of the aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbons












118


Butyl, methyl and isopropyl alcohol












119


Ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and the nitrated derivatives of the glycols and of glycerol












120


Methyl ether, ethyl ether, isopropyl ether, vinyl ether, dichloroisopropyl ether, guaiacol, methyl ether and ethyl ether of ethylene glycol












121


Acetone, chloroacetone, bromoacetone, hexafluoroacetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl n-butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, diacetone alcohol, mesityl oxide, 2-methylcyclohexanone












122


Organophosphorus esters












123


Organic acids












124


Formaldehyde












125


Aliphatic nitrated derivatives












126.01


Benzene or counterparts thereof (the counterparts of benzene are defined by the formula: CnH2n-6)












126.02


Naphthalene or naphthalene counterparts (the counterpart of naphthalene is defined by the formula: CnH2n-12)












126.03


Vinylbenzene and divinylbenzene












127


Halogenated derivatives of the aromatic hydrocarbons












128.01


Phenols or counterparts or halogenated derivatives thereof












128.02


Naphthols or counterparts or halogenated derivatives thereof












128.03


Halogenated derivatives of the alkylaryl oxides












128.04


Halogenated derivatives of the alkylaryl sulfonates












128.05


Benzoquinones












129.01


Aromatic amines or aromatic hydrazines or halogenated, phenolic, nitrified, nitrated or sulfonated derivatives thereof












129.02


Aliphatic amines and halogenated derivatives thereof












130.01


Nitrated derivatives of aromatic hydrocarbons












130.02


Nitrated derivatives of phenols or their counterparts












131


Antimony and derivatives thereof












132


Nitric acid esters












133


Hydrogen sulphide












135


Encephalopathies due to organic solvents which do not come under other headings












136


Polyneuropathies due to organic solvents which do not come under other headings




2.   Skin diseases caused by substances and agents not included under other headings









201


Skin diseases and skin cancers caused by:












201.01


Soot












201.03


Tar












201.02


Bitumen












201.04


Pitch












201.05


Anthracene or compounds thereof












201.06


Mineral and other oils












201.07


Crude paraffin












201.08


Carbazole or compounds thereof












201.09


By-products of the distillation of coal












202


Occupational skin ailments caused by scientifically recognised allergy-provoking or irritative substances not included under other headings




3.   Diseases caused by the inhalation of substances and agents not included under other headings









301


Diseases of the respiratory system and cancers












301.11


Silicosis












301.12


Silicosis combined with pulmonary tuberculosis












301.21


Asbestosis












301.22


Mesothelioma following the inhalation of asbestos dust












301.31


Pneumoconioses caused by dusts of silicates












302


Complication of asbestosis in the form of bronchial cancer












303


Broncho-pulmonary ailments caused by dusts from sintered metals












304.01


Extrinsic allergic alveolites












304.02


Lung diseases caused by the inhalation of dusts and fibres from cotton, flax, hemp, jute, sisal and bagasse












304.04


Respiratory ailments caused by the inhalation of dust from cobalt, tin, barium and graphite












304.05


Siderosis












305.01


Cancerous diseases of the upper respiratory tract caused by dust from wood












304.06


Allergic asthmas caused by the inhalation of substances consistently recognised as causing allergies and inherent to the type of work












304.07


Allergic rhinitis caused by the inhalation of substances consistently recognised as causing allergies and inherent to the type of work












306


Fibrotic diseases of the pleura, with respiratory restriction, caused by asbestos












307


Chronic obstructive bronchitis or emphysema in miners working in underground coal mines












308


Lung cancer following the inhalation of asbestos dust












309


Broncho-pulmonary ailments caused by dusts or fumes from aluminium or compounds thereof












310


Broncho-pulmonary ailments caused by dusts from basic slags












311


Cancer of the larynx caused by asbestos












312


Cancer of the ovary caused by asbestos












313


Pleural plaques with functional impairment of the lungs caused by asbestos












314


Non-malignant pleural effusion caused by asbestos




4.   Infectious and parasitic diseases









401


Infectious or parasitic diseases transmitted to man by animals or remains of animals












402


Tetanus












403


Brucellosis












404


Viral hepatitis












405


Tuberculosis












406


Amoebiasis












407


Other infectious diseases caused by work in disease prevention, health care, domicilary assistance and other comparable activities for which a risk of infection has been proven












408


COVID-19 caused by work in disease prevention, in health and social care and in domiciliary assistance, or, in a pandemic context, in sectors where there is an outbreak in activities in which a risk of infection has been proven




5.   Diseases caused by the following physical agents:









502.01


Cataracts caused by heat radiation












502.02


Conjunctival ailments following exposure to ultraviolet radiation












503


Hypoacousis or deafness caused by noise












504


Diseases caused by atmospheric compression or decompression












505.01


Osteoarticular diseases of the hands and wrists caused by mechanical vibration












505.02


Angioneurotic diseases caused by mechanical vibration












506.10


Diseases of the periarticular sacs due to pressure












506.11


Pre-patellar and sub-patellar bursitis












506.12


Olecranon bursitis












506.13


Shoulder bursitis












506.21


Diseases due to overstraining of the tendon sheaths












506.22


Diseases due to overstraining of the peritendineum












506.23


Diseases due to overstraining of the muscular and tendonous insertions












506.30


Meniscus lesions following extended periods of work in a kneeling or squatting position












506.40


Paralysis of the nerves due to pressure












506.45


Carpal tunnel syndrome












507


Miner’s nystagmus












508


Diseases caused by ionising radiation









ANNEX II
Additional list of diseases suspected of being occupational in origin which should be subject to notification and which may be considered at a later stage for inclusion in Annex I to the European schedule
2.1   Diseases caused by the following agents:









2.101


Ozone












2.102


Aliphatic hydrocarbons other than those referred to under heading 1.116 of Annex I












2.103


Diphenyl












2.104


Decalin












2.105


Aromatic acids – aromatic anhydrides or their halogenated derivatives












2.106


Diphenyl oxide












2.107


Tetrahydrophurane












2.108


Thiophene












2.109


Methacrylonitrile












2.110


Acetonitrile












2.111


Thioalcohols












2.112


Mercaptans and thioethers












2.113


Thallium or compounds thereof












2.114


Alcohols or their halogenated derivatives not referred to under heading 1.118 of Annex I












2.115


Glycols or their halogenated derivatives not referred to under heading 1.119 of Annex I












2.116


Ethers or their halogenated derivatives not referred to under heading 1.120 of Annex I












2.117


Ketones or their halogenated derivatives not referred to under heading 1.121 of Annex I












2.118


Esters or their halogenated derivatives not referred to under heading 1.122 of Annex I












2.119


Furfural












2.120


Thiophenols or counterparts or halogenated derivatives thereof












2.121


Silver












2.122


Selenium












2.123


Copper












2.124


Zinc












2.125


Magnesium












2.126


Platinum












2.127


Tantalum












2.128


Titanium












2.129


Terpenes












2.130


Boranes












2.140


Diseases caused by inhaling nacre dust












2.141


Diseases caused by hormonal substances












2.150


Dental caries associated with work in the chocolate, sugar and flour industries












2.160


Silicium oxide












2.170


Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which do not come under other headings












2.190


Dimethylformamide




2.2   Skin diseases caused by substances and agents not included under other headings









2.201


Allergic and orthoallergic skin ailments not recognised in Annex I




2.3   Diseases caused by inhaling substances not included under other headings









2.301


Pulmonary fibroses due to metals not included in the European schedule












2.303


Broncho-pulmonary ailments and cancers associated with exposure to the following:






—


soot










—


tar










—


bitumen










—


pitch










—


anthracene or compounds thereof










—


mineral and other oils
















2.304


Broncho-pulmonary ailments caused by man-made mineral fibres












2.305


Broncho-pulmonary ailments caused by synthetic fibres












2.307


Respiratory ailments, particularly asthma, caused by irritants not listed in Annex I












2.309


Colon cancer caused by asbestos












2.310


Rectum cancer caused by asbestos












2.311


Stomach cancer caused by asbestos




2.4   Infectious and parasitic diseases not described in Annex I









2.401


Parasitic diseases












2.402


Tropical diseases




2.5   Diseases caused by physical agents









2.501


Avulsion due to overstraining of the spinous processes












2.502


Disc-related diseases of the lumbar vertebral column caused by the repeated vertical effects of whole-body vibration












2.503


Nodules on the vocal chords caused by sustained work-related vocal effort







ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reco/2025/2609/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)