Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances

If employees are exposed to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances in the products they work with, this can have serious consequences for their health. Employers are required to protect their employees from exposure to these substances.

Which substances are involved?

Exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances occurs in many different ways, including in industry, construction, hospitals and laboratories. But exposure can also occur in many other sectors and industries where employees use products containing these substances, such as paint and adhesives, or diesel emissions.

How can you recognise CMR substances?

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment has drawn up a list of carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances and processes (Dutch).

Product packaging also indicates whether a substance is hazardous. This is done using H-statements: hazard statements that provide information about the hazardous properties of a substance. Carcinogenic substances are indicated by the H-statement H350, mutagenic substances by H340, and reprotoxic substances by H360.

More information about hazardous substances is also available on the Substance check for hazardous substances page.

Protect your employees

If you produce or use carcinogenic substances – or products containing them – in your business, your employees may be at risk of health problems caused by exposure. As an employer, you are obliged to protect your employees.

Work with CMR substances only if there is genuinely no alternative. For carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, this is a legal requirement, and for reprotoxic substances it is strongly recommended. If you nevertheless work with CMR substances, you must ensure optimal protection, for example, by separating employees from the source, ensuring good ventilation in the workspace and requiring employees to use personal protective equipment. You must also continue to look for better measures and safer alternatives.

How do you check whether work in your company is safe?

It is important to know whether your employees can work under safe and healthy conditions. In the Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) you must assess exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances. Specific requirements also apply to handling CMR substances. See Arboportaal (Dutch) for more information.

What does the Netherlands Labour Authority expect from you?

The Netherlands Labour Authority prescribes the health and safety requirements that your business must meet. You are responsible for implementing these rules in practice. The Netherlands Labour Authority expects employers to develop effective solutions themselves to protect their employees. Sector organisations, employee organisations and employer organisations can support companies in this process, for example, by developing guides that can be used by a large number of companies within a sector. Many sectors also work with the Netherlands Labour Authority on initiatives to promote safe and healthy working.

Strict supervision by the Netherlands Labour Authority

The Netherlands Labour Authority carries out intensive and effective inspections of exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances. Where violations occur, the Strict supervision by the Netherlands Labour Authority takes enforcement action, for example by imposing fines or ordering work to stop.

You can also check whether you are properly protecting your employees by using the Hazardous Substances Self-Inspection (Dutch).