WRITTEN QUESTION E-1935/98

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(18 June 1998)

Subject: Airbags and road safety

In Italy the use of airbags as safety devices is currently not subject to any standards, despite the fact that the characteristics of some airbags frequently cause accidents, often because they fail to open or open with excessive force. There have also been cases of airbags opening as a result of radio waves produced by mobile telephones.

In view of this, and in the light of the Commission's commitment in this area, reflected in its proposal of 14 May 1997 for a "programme of Community action on injury prevention", can the Commission say:

1. whether further programmes or directives exist relating to the prevention of road accidents and road safety?

2. whether any programmes or documents exist dealing with road safety education as a key way of preventing accidents?

3. whether any standards exist governing the use and characteristics of airbags?

4. whether any such standards exist in other European countries?

5. what its overall views on this matter are?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 1998)

As the Honourable Member will know the Communication on promoting road safety in the Community includes an ambitious programme of legislative and non-legislative measures relating to road safety improvement, for the period 1997-2001(1).

There is, however, no specific current legislation that requires the fitting of airbags to cars, nor is there as yet legislation on the performance specifications of airbags.

However, in the context of the assessment of frontal and side impact tests, the requirements and conditions of which are laid down in Directives 96/27/EC(2) and 96/79/EC(3), the performance of airbags during the tests is to be taken into account when the vehicles tested are fitted with airbags. Both Directives become mandatory, for new types of cars, from 1 October 1998, and for all new cars from 1 October 2003. In addition, advanced airbag technology figures prominently in European Union and international research programmes and has most recently been addressed in detail at the 16th international technical conference on the enhanced safety of vehicles, in Windsor, Canada. The Commission is following the activities with great interest and may, in the light of the results of the research work, come forward with legislative proposals if that proves to be necessary.

With regard to electromagnetic compatibility, Directive 95/54/EC(4) establishes requirements regarding the immunity of all in-car equipment, including airbags, to electromagnetic fields.

A production defect relating to inadequate earthing which caused a static electricity build-up gave cause for concern in the recent past and the defect was remedied by car recall action. The Commission knows of no other similar cases. Consequently, the current standards and initiatives for adaptation in this field seem to be sufficient.

In common with responsible manufacturers, the Commission is naturally anxious to ensure that all implements intended to provide vehicle driver, passenger and pedestrian safety work effectively.

(1) COM(97) 131 final.

(2) OJ L 169, 8.7.1996.

(3) OJ L 18, 21.1.1997.

(4) OJ L 266, 8.11.1995.