WRITTEN QUESTION E-2136/99

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 November 1999)

Subject: Translation of harmonised standards pursuant to the lifts directive into the eleven official languages of the EU

On 1 July 1999 European directive 95/16/EC(1) of 29 June 1995 became applicable to all new lifts. From 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1999 this directive was purely indicative. It was transposed into Belgian law through royal decree of 10 August 1998 concerning lifts (Official Gazette of Belgium of 11 September 1998). The royal decree is therefore compulsory for all new lifts in the Belgian federation.

However, translation of the harmonised standards laid down by the European directive into the eleven official languages of the European Union leaves something to be desired. At present the standards exist only in three of the eleven official languages: German, English and French. This is a source of discrimination between lift manufacturers in the 15 Member States. Only those who have a German, English or French version of the harmonised standards can install new lifts trouble-free. Manufacturers speaking other languages (Danish, Finnish, Greek, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish) are left in the cold because they do not have the correct translation of the harmonised standards.

1. Does the Commission feel that the principle of equality is jeopardised through the non-availability of the translation of the harmonised standards for lifts into Danish, Finnish, Greek, Italian, Dictum, Portuguese's, Spanish and Swedish? If so, what action will it take to have the technical standards laid down in the lifts directive translated forthwith into the eleven official languages of the European Union? If not, what principles of European law does the Commission use to justify limited translation (German, English and French) of the standards?

2. Can the lifts directive be implemented properly if the harmonised standards have not been translated into the eleven official languages of the European Union? If so, what arguments would the Commission use in support of this position? If not, is application of the lifts directive impossible until a translation is available for manufacturers who speak a different language (Danish, Finnish, Greek, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish)?

(1) OJ L 213, 7.9.1995, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2000)

1. European standards are drawn up by the European standards bodies in their official languages. In the case of the European committee for standardisation (CEN) and the European committee for electrotechnical standardisation (Cenelec), these are English, French and German. The European telecommunications standards institute (ETSI) adopts its European standards in English. Such standards have to be transposed into national standards by the national standards bodies. The internal rules of the European standards bodies allow, but do not require, translation of European standards. The question of translation is a matter entirely for the national standards bodies themselves and for national authorities. In various Member States, translation has been made obligatory.

Given the specific role of harmonized standards, the Commission considers that all parties should have access to such standards. Depending on the specific nature of the sector and the standard, and the perceived needs of the market this may imply that there is a need to make those standards available in the languages of the countries concerned. The Commission provides financial support to national standards bodies that translate harmonized standards into national languages.

2. Just as with all other new approach directives, the application of standards is voluntary in the framework of Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/EC of 29 June 1995 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts. New approach directives can be implemented without standards or before they become available. Manufacturers have to meet the essential requirements of directives, not to comply with harmonized standards. Standards are a useful tool to facilitate implementation, which explains why in most cases harmonized standards are in fact translated.