COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 15.04.1998 
COM(1998) 231 final 
97/0153 (COD) 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a 
programme of Community action 1999-2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context 
of the framework for action in the field of public health 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
(1) The initial proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision adopting a 
programme of Community action on pollution-related diseases was adopted by the 
Commission on 4 June 19971. 
(2) The Economic and Social Committee2 and the Committee of the Regions3 
delivered favourable opinions on this initial Commission proposal. 
(3) In the light of the European Parliament's opinion adopted on 11 March 1998, an 
amended proposal for a decision is now submitted by the Commission in 
accordance with Article 189a (2) of the Treaty. The text incorporates 
amendments that clarify and broaden the actions covered by the programme. 
(4) The European Parliament has adopted 12 amendments of which 4 are acceptable 
by the Commission ( n° 7 in toto, n° 3, 9, 10 partially). 
(5) The amendments which are not acceptable by the Commission can be grouped as 
follows: 
(a) amendments that refer to the Amsterdam Treaty, which is not yet ratified 
(n° 1-2); 
(b) amendments that broaden the scope of the proposed actions to an 
unacceptable degree (n° 4, 11, 12 and 13); 
(c) the amendment on the budget (n° 5). The financial perspectives, as they 
currently stand, do not allow for the sum proposed by the European 
Parliament Due to the uncertainty over the future financial perspectives, 
the Commission cannot accept a financial framework that exceeds for each 
year of the programme the annual provision set out in its initial proposal 
for the first year of action, 1999; 
(d) and an amendment which is not consistent with the corresponding wording 
used in previous decisions on public health programmes (n° 6). 
1 OJ N°C2I4 16.7 97, p. 7-10 
2 Opinion delivered on 29 October 1997, OJ N° C 19 21.1.98, p. 6-8 
3 Opinion delivered on 20 November 1997, OJ N° C 64 27.2.98, p. 91-95 
2 
Proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting a programme of Community action 1999-2003 on pollution-related 
diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health. 
INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular 
Article 129 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the 
Economic and Social Committee, 
Having regard to the Opinion of the 
Committee of the Regions, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure 
referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty, 
1. Whereas pollution-related diseases are 
growing in importance throughout the 
European Community and raising public 
concern; 
2. Whereas, in accordance with point (o) of 
Article 3 of the Treaty, Community action 
shall include a contribution to the 
attainment of a high level of health 
protection; 
3. Whereas Article 129 expressly provides 
for Community competence in this field, by 
encouraging cooperation between the 
Member States and, if necessary, lending 
support to their action; promoting 
coordination of their policies and 
programmes, and fostering cooperation 
with third countries and international 
organisations competent in the sphere of 
public health; whereas Community action 
should be directed towards the prevention 
of diseases, and the promotion of health 
education and information; 
4. Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty states 
that Community policy on the environment 
shall contribute to protecting public health; 
5. Whereas the prevention of pollution-
related diseases has to include not only 
measures aimed at the sources and 
concentrations of pollutants and on limiting 
exposure, but also public health actions 
directed at the public to enable individuals 
to reduce exposure and mitigate adverse 
effects on health and whereas data on 
health effects and on exposure should be 
collected in parallel with data on 
concentrations of air pollutants; 
6. Whereas in its Resolution of 11 
November 199P the Council and the 
Ministers for Health of the Member States, 
meeting within the Council, invited the 
Commission, in close cooperation with the 
competent authorities of the Member 
States, to take stock of the knowledge and 
experience available in the Member States, 
the Community and international 
organizations regarding the relationship 
between health and the environment; 
7. Whereas pollution-related diseases have 
been identified as a priority area for 
Community action within the framework 
for action in the field of public health2; 
8. Whereas in its Resolution (A4-0311/95) 
on the Medium-Term Social Action 
Programme 1995-19973 the Parliament 
asked the Commission to present, under the 
proper procedures, the action programme 
on pollution-related diseases foreseen in the 
Commission's framework communication 
on public health; 
9. Whereas, in accordance with the 
principle of subsidiarity, action on matters 
not under the exclusive competence of the 
Community, such as action on pollution-
related diseases, must be undertaken by the 
Community only if and in so far as, by 
reason of its scale or effects, it may be 
better achieved at Community level; 
10. Whereas the proposed measures in the 
present programme will yield a Community-
added value by bringing together activities 
1 OJN°C304 23.11.91. p. 5 
2 COM (9.1) 559 Final 
3 OJ N° C 032 05.02.96. p. 15-24 
already undertaken in relative isolation at 
national level and by complementing one 
another with significant results for the 
Community as a whole, by contributing to 
the strengthening of solidarity and cohesion 
in the Community and by leading, where the 
need is recognised, to the establishment of 
best practice norms and standards. 
11. Whereas cooperation with the 
international organisations competent in the 
field of public health and with third 
countries should be fostered; 
12. Whereas, by providing support for 
acquiring better knowledge and 
understanding of, and wider dissemination 
of information about, pollution-related 
diseases, their association with pollutants 
and their prevention, ensuring improved 
comparability of information on these 
subjects and by developing actions 
complementary to existing Community 
programmes and actions, while avoiding 
unnecessary duplication, the programme 
will contribute to the achievement of the 
Community objectives set out in Article 
129; 
13. Whereas a "modus vivendi" between 
the European Parliament, the Council and 
the Commission concerning the 
implementing measures for acts adopted in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 189b of the Treaty was concluded 
on 20 December 1994; 
14. Whereas this decision lays down, a 
financial framework constituting the 
principal point of reference, within the 
meaning of point 1 of the Declaration of the 
European Parliament, the Council and the 
Commission of 6 March 1995, for the 
budgetary authority during the annual 
budgetary procedure; 
15. Whereas the Community's financial 
perspective is valid up until 1999 and will 
have to be revised for the period beyond 
that date; 
16. Whereas the financial framework for the 
last four years of the programme (2000-
2003) shall be determined after the 
establishment of the future financial 
perspectives; 
17. Whereas, in order to increase the value 
and impact of the programme, a continuous 
assessment of the actions undertaken 
should be carried out, with particular regard 
to their effectiveness and the achievement 
of the objectives set and, with a view where 
appropriate, to making the necessary 
adjustments; 
18. Whereas this programme should be of 
five-year duration in order to allow 
sufficient time for actions to be 
implemented to achieve the objectives set; 
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS 
Article I 
Establishment of the programme 
1. A programme of Community action 
against diseases which are caused, 
provoked or aggravated by environmental 
pollution, hereinafter referred to as "this 
programme", is hereby adopted for the 
period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 
2003 in the context of the framework for 
action in the field of public health. 
2. The aim of this programme is to 
contribute towards ensuring a high level of 
health protection against pollution-related 
diseases by improving knowledge and 
understanding about health risks associated 
with them and how to address them, in 
particular with regard to asthma and other 
respiratory diseases, and to allergies. 
3. The actions to be implemented under this 
programme and their specific objectives are 
set out in the Annex under the headings: 
1. Actions 
information 
diseases on improvement of 
on pollution-related 
2. Risk perception and risk 
management with respect to 
pollution-related diseases 
3. Respiratory 
allergies 
Article 2 diseases and 1. Actions on improvement of 
information on pollution-related 
diseases and their definition 
liiiplmimlntioii 
I. The Commission shall ensure 
implementation, in close cooperation with 
the Member States, of the actions set out in 
the Annex. 
2. The Commission shall cooperate with 
institutions and organisations active in the 
field of pollution-related diseases. 
Article 3 
Budget 
1. The financial framework for the 
implementation of the programme for the 
year 1999 shall be ECU 1.3 Million, in 
keeping with current financial perspectives. 
The financial framework for the final four 
years of the programme (2000-2003) shall 
be determined in detail after the 
establishment of the future financial 
perspectives. 
2. The annual appropriations shall be 
established by the Budgetary Authority in 
accordance with the financial perspectives. 
Article 4 
Consistency and complementarity 
The Commission shall ensure that there is 
consistency and complementarity between 
the Community actions to be implemented 
under this programme and those 
implemented under other relevant 
Community programmes and actions. 
Article 5 
Committee 
1. In implementing this action plan, the 
Commission shall be assisted by an advisory 
committee, hereinafter referred to as "the 
Committee", consisting of representatives 
of the Member States and chaired by the 
Commission representative 
2. The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken concerning, in 
particular: 
(a) the criteria, and procedures for 
selecting and financing projects 
under this programme; 
(b) the evaluation procedure. 
The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
the draft, within a time limit which the 
chairperson may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by 
taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the 
minutes; in addition, each Member State 
shall have the right to ask to have its 
position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost 
account of the opinion delivered by the 
Committee. It shall inform the Committee 
on the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. 
3. The representative of the Commission 
shall keep the Committee regularly 
informed about Commission proposals or 
Community initiatives and the 
implementation of programmes in other 
policy areas which are relevant to the 
achievement of the objectives of this 
programme. 
Article 6 
International cooperation 
1. In the course of implementing this 
programme, cooperation with third 
countries and with international 
organisations competent in the field of 
public health shall be fostered. 
2. This programme shall be open to 
participation by the associated countries of 
Central Europe (CEC), in accordance with 
the conditions laid down in the Association 
Agreements or Additional Protocols 
related thereto concerning participation in 
Community programmes. This programme 
shall be open to participation by Cyprus and 
Malta on the basis of additional 
appropriations in accordance with the same 
rules as those applied to the EFTA 
countries, in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with those countries. 
Article 7 
Monitoring and evaluation 
1. In the implementation of this Decision 
the Commission shall take the necessary 
measures to ensure the monitoring and 
continuous evaluation of the programme, 
taking account of the general and specific 
objectives referred to in Article 1 and in the 
Annex. 
2. In the third year of operation of this 
programme, the Commission shall present 
to the European Parliament and the Council 
an evaluation report. 
3. The Commission shall submit to the 
European Parliament and the Council a final 
report on completion of this programme. 
4. The Commission shall incorporate into 
these two reports information on 
Community financing in the various fields 
of action and on complementarity with the 
other actions referred to in Article 4, as 
well as the results of the evaluations. The 
reports shall also be submitted to the 
Economic and Social Committee and the 
Committee of the Regions. 
ANNEX 
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND 
ACTIONS 
I. ACTIONS ON IMPROVEMENT 1- ACTIONS ON IMPROVEMENT 
OF INFORMATION ON POLLUTION- OF INFORMATION ON POLLUTION-
RELATED DISEASES RELATED DISEASES AND THEIR 
DEFINITION 
Objective: to contribute towards a 
better understanding of the role of 
pollutants in the causation and 
aggravation of diseases in the 
European Community and of the 
basis and effectiveness of preventive 
actions. 
data on 
in the 
European 
the data Establishing priorities for the 
identification of those diseases in 
which specific pollutants are 
thought to play a role; comparing 
their prevalence and/or incidence 
and their relation to 
environmental factors 
different parts of the 
Community; examining 
quality and identifying where data 
are lacking; analysing and reviewing 
data currently available on the 
toxicology of these pollutants, and 
identifying gaps in knowledge; 
comparing these data, including 
methods of collections, definitions 
and criteria used, as well as the way 
in which the information is used in 
analyses, in determining the actions 
taken and in informing the public. 
Contributing to improve the 
comparability of data used in 
preventive actions by the support of 
exchanges of information on 
pollution-related diseases and their 
prevention, including cost-benefit 
analysis of the effectiveness of 
actions. Establishing priorities for the 
identification of those diseases in 
which specific pollutants are 
thought to play a role; comparing 
their prevalence and/or incidence 
and their relation to data on 
environmental factors in the 
different parts of the European 
Community; examining the data 
quality and identifying where data 
are lacking; analysing and reviewing 
data currently available on the 
toxicology of these pollutants, and 
identifying gaps in knowledge^ 
particularly wjth_ regard to 1 o ng-
term effects and possible synergies 
between pollutants; comparing these 
data, including methods of 
collection, definitions and criteria 
used, as well as the way in which 
the information is used in analyses, 
in determining the actions taken and 
in informing the public. 
10 
II. RISK PERCEPTION AND RISK 
MANAGEMENT WITH 
RESPECT TO POLLUTION-
RELATED DISEASES 
Objective: to increase the level of 
knowledge and under­
standing about pollution-
related health risks and their 
perception, assessment and 
management. 
3. Supporting actions aimed at 
achieving better public understanding of 
risks, their assessment and management; 
promoting work on the public perceptions 
of pollution-related risks to health 
throughout the Community. Supporting actions aimed at 
achieving better public under­
standing of risks, their assessment 
and management; promoting actions 
on the public perception of 
pollution-related risks to health, and 
on the way that they can be 
influenced by behaviour and 
lifestyle. 
Promoting actions and exchanges of 
information on the methods of 
increasing the level of knowledge of 
the general public and opinion-
formers about the assessment of 
pollution-related risks to health Promoting actions and exchanges of 
information on the methods of 
increasing the level of knowledge of 
the general public and specific 
groups about the impact of different 
policies on pollution and health, and 
the assessment of pollution-related 
risks to health. 
III. RESPIRATORY 
AND ALLERGIES DISEASES 
Objective: to support activities aimed at 
preventing and reducing the 
numbers of these diseases. 
Contributing to the provision of 
information to the general public 
and to specific groups, on these 
diseases and the agents that play a 
role in them; supporting the 
development of ways to reinforce 
and link information campaigns; 
11 
contributing to the efforts of self-
help or support groups active in the 
field of respiratory diseases and 
allergies. 
6. Contributing to the comparison of 
various education and training initiatives 
used to combat these diseases, with a view 
to promoting best practice; reviewing the 
effectiveness of the preventive measures 
undertaken, including cost/benefit analyses. 
12 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 231 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 05 15 14 01 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-244-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-32997-5 
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