In the realm of occupational health, one of the most persistent risks to worker well-being is the onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused or aggravated by poorly designed workstations, repetitive movements, awkward postures and lack of ergonomic controls. Across Europe, the Directive 89/391/EEC (the OSH Framework Directive) together with subsequent more specific directives (for example on display‐screen equipment and manual handling) provide the baseline for national legislation.
However, not all Member States apply the same level of detail, scope or enforcement regarding ergonomic workplace compliance. In this article, we look at five European countries recognised for having the most comprehensive legislation and regulatory architecture addressing ergonomics, workstations and MSD prevention — meaning countries which not only have multiple laws but also treat the ergonomic risks broadly (workstation design, risk-assessment, training, work organisation) rather than narrowly (only manual handling or display screen equipment).
5 European Countries with the Best Workplace Compliance Legislation
1. Sweden
Sweden stands out for its detailed regulation of ergonomic risk factors and a systematic work environment approach. The foundation is the Work Environment Act (Arbetsmiljölagen) which sets the employer’s duty to provide a safe and healthy work environment.
Additionally, Sweden’s regulatory authority has issued the binding provisions: AFS 2012:2 Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, which explicitly apply to all work activities involving loads or conditions that may affect the musculoskeletal system or vocal cords.
Key features:
- The 2012 provision requires workplaces and tasks to be designed “so as to prevent risks of health-endangering or unnecessarily fatiguing loads”.
- The regulation applies broadly across industries and covers factors such as posture, movements, repetitive tasks, load handling.
- There is an emphasis on systematic work environment management (SWEM) requiring risk‐assessments, action-plans, follow-up. (Eurofound)
That level of specificity gives Sweden a strong case as having one of the more holistic ergonomics regimes among EU states.
2. Belgium
Belgium is notable for a recently updated and extensive regulation specifically targeting ergonomics and MSD prevention. In 2024 the Belgian federal government amended Book VIII of the Code of Well‑being at Work via a Royal Decree, which went into effect on 25 May 2024.
Key features:
- Obligates employers to implement a prevention policy for MSDs that takes into account biomechanical risk factors (use of force, repetitive movements, duration/frequency, postures, contact force, etc.) (ergonomics-fees.eu)
- Requires adaptation of new workstations and modification of existing ones with ergonomic considerations.
- Mandates training, consultation with ergonomic prevention consultants and participation of workers.
Because this law addresses the workstation, risk analysis, ergonomic design, organisational training and prevention policy, Belgium now ranks among the most advanced in ergonomics‐legislation coverage.
3. France
France also features strongly in terms of workstation adaptation and ergonomic risk regulation. Part four of the French Labour Code requires employers to “adapt workplaces to the characteristics of employees” and includes ergonomic criteria in the national regulations.
Key features:
- Under Article L4121-2 of the French Labour Code, employers must implement preventive actions adapted to the risk, including physical or mental tasks, and incorporate ergonomic design of work into organisation of tasks and work rhythms. (japet.eu)
- National guidance and corporate case studies show how French operations embed ergonomics in workstation design, WMSD (work‐related MSD) prevention, training and performance evaluation. (openaccess.cms-conferences.org)
While France may not always present as many separate laws purely dedicated to ergonomics, the existing legal framework explicitly and directly covers workstation adaptation, ergonomic factors, work‐organisation and MSD risk prevention.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands distinguishes itself by a framework law combined with specific ergonomics requirements for workstation design inclusive of home-working contexts. The key act is the Working Conditions Decree (Arbowet) complemented by associated decrees and guidance.
Key features:
- Employers have a duty of care for safe and healthy working conditions, including ergonomically sound home workstations: e.g., reimbursement or provision of ergonomic equipment, information of risks, training of employees (business.gov.nl)
- The law has been interpreted and applied to cover display screen equipment, repetitive tasks, posture, and home-office ergonomics.
- The Dutch regime emphasises employer responsibility, risk assessment (RI&E), and inclusion of ergonomic features in workplaces as a component of overall occupational health management.
Given the broad coverage (including remote work) and strong employer obligations, the Netherlands merits inclusion among the top countries for ergonomic workplace legislation.
5. Germany
Germany rounds out the top five, thanks to a well‐developed legislative architecture covering ergonomic risk, musculoskeletal disorders and workstation design. Although Germany may rely more on general laws rather than highly prescriptive ergonomic regulations alone, its Ordinance of Workplaces and Occupational Safety and Health Act together form a comprehensive regime.
Key features:
- The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz – ArbSchG) places a duty on employers to assess hazards (including ergonomic) and take measures to reduce them.
- Specific ordinances such as the Lasthandhabungsverordnung (on manual handling of loads) and the Bildschirmarbeitsverordnung (on visual display unit workstations) implement the EU ergonomics directives. (gkstill.com)
- German institutions (e.g., German Social Accident Insurance – DGUV) and its IFA ergonomics unit devote significant research to ergonomics, MSDS, ergonomic design and prevention. (dguv.de)
While the German approach may appear less “labelled” as a distinct ‘ergonomics law’, the combination of obligations (risk assessment, adaptation, design of workstations), specific ordinances and enforcement make it one of the more thorough regimes in Europe.
Conclusion
In summary, among European countries, Sweden, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany stand out for their relatively advanced, multi‐faceted legislative frameworks for ergonomic workplace compliance and MSD prevention. Each country addresses not just high-level obligations, but drills down into workstation design, risk assessment, work organisation, training, home-office ergonomics (in some cases) and musculoskeletal risk factors.
For organisations operating across Europe (or benchmarking best practice), these five jurisdictions offer useful reference points for what a comprehensive ergonomic framework can look like. That said, it’s also important to recognise that legislation alone does not guarantee compliance or outcomes — effective implementation, training, auditing, employee engagement and adaptation to emerging working models (remote work, flexible tasks) remain critical.
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