"Agreed criteria for diagnosing occupational diseases will help in ensuring consistency in clinical decisions, and contribute to management of individual cases and prevention of disease in occupationally-exposed groups. The European Commission (EC) produced its first schedule of occupational diseases in 1962. Other agencies and organizations in different countries also have their lists of occupational diseases, although guidance on recognizing such diseases is less readily available. In recognition of this need, the EC produced a document in 1963 titled ‘Medical particulars on diseases recorded in the European schedule of occupational diseases.' This was updated in 1994 by a working group of EU experts, resulting in the publication of ‘Information notices on diagnosis of occupational diseases.' A revision of the 1994 document was commissioned ten years later. The current document ‘Criteria for the diagnosis of occupational diseases' is a result of the efforts of a new EU expert working group. The group included several experts who worked on the 1994 document and new members from different EU countries. In addition, observers representing unions and industry were invited. Implications that the conclusions of the group might have on workers' rights to compensation as per the systems applicable in each case and/or system were felt to be outside the group's remit."

Support: Digital