Law amendment 2026
Asbestos legislation changes in 2026 ‑ an electron microscope becomes mandatory for counting fibres in air samples from 21 December 2026
Member states had to transpose the EU Asbestos Exposure Directive (EU) 2023/2668 into national law by 21 December 2025. Finland did so with Government Decree 886/2025 in two stages: the binding limit value of 0.01 fibres/cm³ applies to all work involving asbestos exposure from 21 December 2025, and from 21 December 2026 fibres in air samples must be counted with an electron microscope.
What will change?
The binding limit value of 0.01 fibres/cm³ (8 h) has applied to all work involving asbestos exposure since 21 December 2025. From 21 December 2026, fibres in air samples must be counted with an electron microscope (for example SEM-EDS or TEM-EDS), and the assessment covers fibres 0.05–3 µm wide. The light microscope (PLM/PCM) commonly used for air samples is then no longer sufficient on its own. An electron microscope also identifies microscopically thin asbestos fibres and tells them apart from other fibres using chemical elemental analysis.
Why is the change made?
The latest research shows that even very thin asbestos fibres pose health risks. A light microscope can only detect fibres above a certain size, whereas an electron microscope can also see down to the nanoscale. The aim is to protect workers and residents more reliably.
How to prepare?
If you order air sample analyses regularly - for occupational safety on demolition sites, for example - check before 21 December 2026 that your laboratory counts air sample fibres with an electron microscope. Onelab already uses a JEOL SEM-EDS electron microscope for every analysis, so no preparation time is needed.
Does the change also apply to surveys and material samples?
For material samples, JEOL SEM-EDS has been in use for a long time in accordance with the ISO 22262-1 standard. The change concerns mainly air samples and how they are analysed. Asbestos survey practice stays largely the same, but the results become more reliable as the analysis instruments improve.
Frequently asked questions
Order an asbestos analysis
JEOL SEM-EDS, to the ISO 22262-1 standard. Results on the day of arrival.