Ireland · Chemicals · In force from 9 April 2026
Chemical Agents (Amendment) Regulations 2026: new lead and diisocyanate limits in Ireland
SI 127/2026 and the HSA 2026 Code of Practice bring lower exposure limits for inorganic lead and new limits for diisocyanates from 9 April 2026.
Short answer
From 9 April 2026, the binding limit for inorganic lead is 0.03 mg/m³ (inhalable fraction). Diisocyanates have limits of 0.01 mg/m³ (8-hour) and 0.02 mg/m³ (short-term), as NCO, until 31 December 2028, falling to 0.006 and 0.012 mg/m³ after that. The limits are set out in the HSA 2026 Code of Practice. SI 127/2026 · HSA 2026 Code of Practice
Who is affected?
Any workplace where people may be exposed to lead or diisocyanates. Typical examples are metal work and recycling, demolition and refurbishment of old painted structures, spray painting, polyurethane foams, adhesives, sealants and coatings.
What should employers do now?
- Review the chemical risk assessment against the new limits.
- Check exposure monitoring. Measurements taken against the old limits may no longer show compliance.
- Check controls: substitution, local exhaust ventilation, work methods and respiratory protection.
- Plan for 2029. The diisocyanate limits fall again after 31 December 2028.
Does this change training intervals?
The new limits do not set a new refresher interval. Separately, since August 2023 EU REACH has required training before industrial or professional use of products containing more than 0.1% diisocyanates, renewed at least every five years. Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1149
PPE Course
Learn the course online. A certificate is available if you need one.
Official sources
- SI 127/2026: Chemical Agents (Amendment) Regulations 2026irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 2026-10-30
- HSA 2026 Code of Practice for the Chemical Agents Regulationshsa.ie · Checked 2026-10-30
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1149 (diisocyanates training)eur-lex.europa.eu · Checked 2026-10-30