The Marshal's Office of the Masovian Voivodeship announced on 3 November 2026 the government's plans for new regulations concerning asbestos-containing products. The draft act, identified by the code UC60, is intended to implement into Polish law the provisions of European Parliament and EU Council directives and to streamline the current rules for handling these materials. The changes will affect residents, local governments and businesses.
What will change in practice
According to the office, the draft will introduce new rules for reporting and recording asbestos-containing products. It also provides for the possibility of permanently securing certain materials, for example those built into building walls, but only in specific cases. Municipalities would retain tasks related to asbestos record-keeping, updating the Asbestos Database, and informing residents about safe handling of these products. According to the office, the plan is to move away from annual reporting towards submitting a declaration, with data updates only when products are removed or change ownership.
County offices are to be responsible for issuing permits and maintaining the register of contractors performing asbestos-related works. Companies removing or permanently securing asbestos-containing products are required to obtain appropriate permits and be entered in the register. Mandatory training for persons carrying out work involving exposure to asbestos, and fines for breach of certain obligations, are also provided for.
Why asbestos still requires attention
Asbestos was widely used in construction in the second half of the 20th century, including as roofing, facade, and water pipe material. Inhalation of asbestos dust can lead to serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer. Therefore, the new regulations are intended to increase health protection and oversight of work related to the removal and securing of these materials.
Actions in Masovia
The Masovian Voivodeship government is running an educational and information campaign on asbestos-containing products. Within this framework, articles are published, information campaigns are carried out in public transport, and events are organized. These actions are funded from the National Asbestos Cleanup Programme for 2009–2032.
On 26 October 2026, the Masovian Asbestos Conference was held in Warsaw. According to the office, it was dedicated to the challenges associated with removing asbestos-containing products and implementing the national cleanup programme. It was attended by around 300 representatives of local governments, public administration, institutions involved in environmental protection, agriculture and the labour market, and the academic community. The draft is listed in the Council of Ministers' legislative work plan; at this stage, the changes are still planned and require the adoption of appropriate legislation.