Royal Decree 847/2026 of 21 October, published in the BOE on 23 October 2026, is the new health and safety rule for work with a risk of exposure to asbestos. It came into force the day after publication (fourth final provision) and repeals Royal Decree 396/2006 (sole repealing provision). It applies, among others, to the demolition of buildings with asbestos, its removal and the maintenance and repair of materials containing asbestos (article 3.1).
The limit drops to 0.01 fibres per cubic centimetre (article 4.1)
No worker may be exposed to an airborne asbestos concentration above 0.01 fibres per cubic centimetre, measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average (VLA-ED). Royal Decree 396/2006 set 0.1 (its article 4.1): the limit is ten times lower. Until 20 December 2029 measurement may still use the INSST phase contrast optical microscopy method (third transitional provision).
Before touching anything: know where the asbestos is (article 10.2)
Before demolishing, maintaining or refurbishing premises built before asbestos was banned, the company must identify the materials that may contain it; if it does not have that information, a qualified operator examines them. The identification goes into the health and safety study (or basic study) under Royal Decree 1627/1997. The rule cites fibre cement and vinyl asbestos as non-friable materials, and sprayed asbestos and lagging as friable ones (article 11.2.b).
Approved work plan and start notice (articles 11 to 13 and 17)
- Before each job with asbestos, the company draws up a work plan (11.1), consulting the workers' representatives (11.7), with the list of those involved and their training certificates (11.2.e).
- The plan is submitted to the labour authority, which has 45 days to decide; if it does not reply, the plan is deemed approved (12.2).
- The start of the work is notified at least 7 working days in advance (13.1).
- Whoever subcontracts this work must check that the subcontractor has an approved plan (11.6).
- Before starting, a specific medical fitness check, and then periodically (17.1).
Company registered in the RERA (articles 18 and 19)
- Every company that will do this work registers beforehand in the Register of companies at risk from asbestos (RERA); registration is valid for 3 years, renewable (18.1 and 18.4).
- Companies already registered must apply for renewal within 6 months of the entry into force; otherwise they are removed (second transitional provision).
- Training certificates, exposure data and medical records are kept for at least 40 years after the exposure ends (19.4).
The training it requires (article 14 and annex III)
The company trains every worker who is or may be exposed: at no cost to them, before starting, when their duties or equipment change and at regular intervals (14.1). It is given by staff qualified for higher-level functions with the means for the practical part (annex III.2). It has a common theoretical part (regulations, health effects, including that of smoking, materials, risky operations and health surveillance) and a specific theoretical-practical part (respiratory protective equipment, enclosure, emergencies, decontamination and waste) (annex III.3). Its length is adapted to the tasks, and those doing demolition or removal receive additional training (annex III.4). At the end, the trainer issues a certificate with date, length, content, language and trainer details (annex III.5).
This module is not that training. It explains the rule, but it does not replace the article 14 training, which has a practical part with the equipment, is given by higher-level staff and is paid for by the company.