The EU member states are required to implement EU occupational health & safety directive 2013/35/EU on electromagnetic fields in national law no later than 1 July 2016. Directive 2013/35/EU defines minimum regulations for the protection of the health & safety of employees from hazards presented by electromagnetic fields (EMF), thereby avoiding unnecessary burdens and costs – especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Even if the electrical or electromagnetic fields at most workplaces subject to EMF are so low that no measures are necessary, employees at particular risk (such as those wearing implants) must always be given due attention. At workplaces with strong EM fields (e.g. welding, magnetic resonance therapy), a hazard assessment and record-keeping is necessary, and suitable protective measures must be taken.
EU member states specifically have until 1 July 2016 to implement this. In the course of the implementation, the accident prevention regulation DGUV regulation 15 and the associated DGUV rule 103-013 will be abolished by government decree and a set of technical rules to define specific terms.
FBDI