31.12. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 374/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE - 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 Arncle 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (90/679/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in partlcular Article 118a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), drawn up after consulting the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, In cooperatioﬁ with the European Parliament (i) Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic énd Social Committee (3), Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that the Council shall adopt, by means of Directives, minimum requirements in order to encourage improvements, especially in the working environment, so as to guarantee bcttcr protectlon of the health and safety of workers; Whereas that Article provides that such Directives shall avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings; Whereas the Council Resolution of 27 February 1984 on a second action programme of the European Communities on safety and health at work (*) provides for the development of (1) OJ No C 150, 8. 6. 1988, p. 6. (2) OJ No C 158, 26. 6. 1989, p. 92. (3) OJ No C 56, 6. 3. 1989, p. 38. (¢) OJ NoC67,8.3.1984, p. 2. protective measures for workers exposed to dangerous agents; Whereas the communication from the Commission on its programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at work (5) provides for the adoption of Dnrectlves to guarantee the safety and health of workers; . Whereas 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; Whereas 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 measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (¢); whereas 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 the present Directive; ) Whereas more precise knowledge of the risks involved in exposure to biological agents at work can be obtained through the keeping of records; Whereas employers must keep abreast of new developments in technology with a view to improving the protection of workers” health and safety; (5) OJ No C 28, 3. 2. 1988, p. 1. ) OJ No L 183, 29. 6. 1989, p. 1.