A4-0101/99

Proposal for a Council Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hz - 300 GHz (COM(98)0268 - C4-0427/98 - 98/0166(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1a (new)

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1a. Whereas the Treaty also makes provision for protecting the health of workers and the rights of consumers;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1b (new)

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1b. Having regard to the safeguard principle laid down in Article 130r of the Treaty; having regard to the ALARA principle, according to which it is necessary to aim, in this case, at an exposure to electromagnetic radiation that is as low as reasonably achievable, as defined by the WHO;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 2

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2. Whereas the European Parliament in its resolution on combating the harmful effects of non-ionising radiation called on the Commission to propose measures seeking to limit the exposure of workers and the public to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation;

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2.

Whereas the European Parliament in its resolution on combating the harmful effects of non-ionising radiation called on the Commission to propose legislative measures seeking to limit the exposure of workers and the public to non-ionising electromagnetic radiation;

(Amendment 17)

Recital 4

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4. Whereas it is imperative to protect members of the general public in the Community against established adverse health effects that may result as a consequence of exposure to electromagnetic fields;

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4.

Whereas it is imperative to protect members of the general public in the Community against established adverse health or potentially harmful long-term effects that may result as a consequence of exposure to electromagnetic fields;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 7

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7. Whereas there is a need to establish a Community framework for the protection of the public with regard to electromagnetic fields by means of recommendations to Member States;

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7.

Whereas there is a need to establish a uniform Community framework with regard to exposure to electromagnetic fields, with the objective of protecting the public;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 8

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8. Whereas this framework must be based on the best available scientific data and advice in this area and should comprise basic restrictions and reference levels on exposure to electromagnetic fields; whereas advice on this matter has been given by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and has been endorsed by the Commission's Scientific Steering Committee;

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8.

Whereas, in accordance with the precautionary principle, this framework, which can draw on the large body of scientific documentation which already exists, must eliminate any possible public health hazard, must be based on the best available scientific data and advice in this area and should comprise stringent basic restrictions and reference levels on exposure to electromagnetic fields; whereas such advice should be regularly reviewed and reassessed in the light of increased patterns of usage of devices which may increase exposure to electromagnetic fields;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 12a (new)

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(12a) Whereas there is no uniform measurement method at European level for product compliance; whereas there is a need to prevent new technical barriers to trade;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 16

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16. Whereas the Member States should take note of progress made in scientific knowledge and technology with respect to non-ionising radiation protection; whereas these recommendations should be reviewed in particular in the light of guidance by competent international organisations such as the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection;

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16.

Whereas the Member States should take note of progress made in scientific knowledge and technology with respect to non-ionising radiation protection and provide for regular scrutiny and review with assessments made regularly available to the European Parliament;

(Amendment 8)

RECOMMENDATION II(b)

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(b) implement measures in respect of sources or practices giving rise to exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields on the basis of such a framework;

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(b)

implement measures, according to the above framework, in respect of sources or practices giving rise to electromagnetic exposure of the general public, ensuring that the highest levels of protection are afforded where the public live or spend a significant part of their time, and that research into the protection of European citizens and into the effects on their health is kept up to date;

(Amendment 15)

RECOMMENDATION III, introduction

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III. Member States, in order to facilitate and promote respect of the basic restrictions given in Annex II:

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III.

Member States, in order to facilitate and promote respect of the basic restrictions given in Annex II, lay down minimum safety distances from electrical equipment and minimum distances from public buildings, housing and workplaces for the siting of high-voltage transmission lines, radar equipment and broadcasting and re-broadcasting transmitters, including cellular phone base stations, and set down the recommended safety distances for use, such recommendations to be displayed on the product concerned, paying particular attention - because of the proximity and length of exposure involved - to mobile telephones, and:

(Amendment 14)

RECOMMENDATION III (ba) (new)

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(ba) consider to what extent simplification can be achieved by laying down recommended safety distances for specific applications, paying particular attention to mobile phone technology;

(Amendment 10)

RECOMMENDATION V

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V. Member States, in order to enhance knowledge about the health effects of electromagnetic fields:

promote and review research relevant to EMF and human health in the context of their national research programmes, taking into account Community and international research recommendations and efforts;

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V.

Member States, in order to enhance knowledge about the health effects of electromagnetic fields:

promote and review research relevant to EMF and human health in the context of their national research programmes, taking into account Community and international research recommendations and efforts, from the widest possible range of sources;

(Amendment 11)

RECOMMENDATION V, 2nd subparagraph (new)

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make every effort to incorporate the implications for human health resulting from the very extensive research carried out by many military experts throughout the world in this field;

(Amendments 12, 20 and 21)

INVITES

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the Commission to prepare a report for the Community as a whole taking into account the reports of the Member States, and keep the matters covered in this recommendation under review, with a view to its revision and updating.

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the Commission to prepare a report for the Community as a whole taking into account the reports of the Member States, and keep the matters covered in this Recommendation under review, with a view to its revision and updating

, proposing, by 1 January 2001, a system of continuous review of devices generating electromagnetic fields which will utilise information about their intensity and time of usage by the public so as to protect public safety; in addition invites the Commission to produce a comprehensive comparative list of the limits applied in the Member States of the EU and, for comparison, with other major countries in order to alleviate public disquiet over variations in standards applied; further invites the Commission to submit a proposal for the revision of Directives 90/270/EEC on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment(1) and 73/23/EEC(2) and 92/75/EEC(3) with a view to laying down safety criteria for electrical equipment capable of producing electromagnetic fields and to labelling such products so as to provide consumers with information on the fields generated by electrical equipment as a function of distance and the type of use to which it is put; also invites the Commission to adapt this recommendation by 2001 to take account of long-term effects in the light of the whole body of scientific literature, existing standards in the Member States and the precautionary principle.

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(1) OJ L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 14.

(2) OJ L 181, 4.7.1973, p. 32.

(3) OJ L 297, 13.10.1992, p. 16.

(Amendment 13)

Annex II, 6th paragraph

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The basic restrictions, given in Table 1, are set so as to account for uncertainties related to individual sensitivities, environmental conditions, and for the fact that the age and health status of members of the public vary.

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The basic restrictions, given in Table 1,

include large safety factors only with respect to the thresholds for acute effects; they are set so as to account for uncertainties related to individual sensitivities, environmental conditions, and for the fact that the age and health status of members of the public vary.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields 0 Hz - 300 GHz (COM(98)0268 - C4-0427/98 - 98/0166(CNS))(Consultation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0268 - 98/0166(CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 129 of the EC Treaty (C4-0427/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinion of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0101/99),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

3. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.