Joint statement on psychosocial risks in the workplace: European employers call for an evidence-based and practical approach to a complex issue

Ahead of the European Parliament’s plenary vote on 5 October 2026 on the INL report “Psychosocial risks, stress and mental health at work” (2026/2023), European employers call on Members of the European Parliament to reject the legislative annex and any other reference to the introduction of new European legislations, as well as remove its most problematic provisions. We call for an approach that:

• clarifies that the existing general risk-assessment obligation covers both physical and psychosocial risks;
• strengthens implementation and enforcement of the existing OSH framework;
• provides practical guidance and tools;
• supports the exchange of effective practices across sectors and Member States;
• reinforces social dialogue and shared responsibility;
• respects subsidiarity and the practical realities of companies, especially of SMEs; and
• respects the ongoing tripartite work of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at work.