17.10.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 262/21 DIRECTIVE 2000/54/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 September 2000 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 137(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (1), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1)  Council Directive 90/679/EEC of 26 November 1990 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/ 391/EEC) () has been substantially amended on a number of occasions (¥). For the sake of clarity and rationality Directive 90/679/EEC should be codified. (20  Compliance with the minimum requirements designed to guarantee a better standard of safety and health as regards the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to biological agents at work is essential to ensure the safety and health of workers. (3)  This Directive is an individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Council Directive 89/ 391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of meas- ures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (). The provisions of that Directive are therefore fully applicable to the exposure of workers to biological agents, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive. (4)  More precise knowledge of the risks involved in exposure to biological agents can be obtained through the keeping of records. () O] C 75, 15.3.2000, p. 15. (3 Opinion of the European Parliament of 13 June 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 17 July 2000. () OJ L 374, 31.12.1990, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commis- sion Directive 97/65/EC (O] L 335, 6.12.1997, p. 17). () See Annex VIII, part A. () O] L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. (5)  The list and classification of the biological agents must be examined regularly and revised on the basis of new scientific data. (6)  For a number of biological agents details additional to their classification should be given. (7 Employers must keep abreast of new developments in technology with a view to improving the protection of workers' health and safety. (8)  Preventive measures should be taken for the protection of the health and safety of workers exposed to biological agent. (9)  This Directive constitutes a practical aspect of the reali- sation of the social dimension of the internal market. (10) Pursuant to Council Decision 74/325/EEC () the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work should be consulted by the Commis- sion with a view to the formulation of proposals in this field. 1t was so consulted over the formulation of proposals for the Council directives embodied in this Directive. (11)  This Directive is without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States concerning the deadlines for transpo- sition as set out in Annex VIII, Part B, HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 Objective 1. This Directive has as its aim the protection of workers against risks to their health and safety, including the prevention of such risks, arising or likely to arise from exposure to biolog- ical agents at work. It lays down particular minimum provisions in this area. (®) OJ L 185, 9.7.1974, p. 15; Decision as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession.