The amendment has the following main effects:

1. it extends the EC Directive 90/394/EEC to cover mutagenic substances ;
   
2. it establishes limits on exposure to hardwood wood dust ;
   
3. it consolidates relevant parts of the directive on vinyl chloride monomer (78/610/EEC).

The amendment is given effect in the UK by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2003 SI 2003/978 which came into effect on 29th April 2003 (see notes at Health and Safety at work/CoSHH regulations ).

For other relevant notes see Health and Safety at work/asbestos and/or Health and Safety at work/European position and/or Smoking at work

See also EC Directive 2006/15/EC of 7th February 2006 and EC Directive 2009/161/EU of 17th December 2009 establishing respectively a second and third list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of EC Directive 98/24/EC and amending Directive 91/322/EEC and Directive 2000/39/EC. Relevant HSC proposals for implementation of the second list indicative list (August 2006) are available on the internet.