WRITTEN QUESTION E-2770/00

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(1 September 2000)

Subject: Electromagnetic waves

About one year ago the Rome city authorities adopted a decision allowing tenants of buildings owned by companies to oppose the installation of relay masts and setting new limits governing the siting of such masts, particularly in the vicinity of schools and hospitals

However, in the district of Torrino, Rome, residents of buildings owned by various companies (Inpdai, Enasarco NPDAP and others) have not had the opportunity to oppose the installation of masts, because the companies themselves have signed agreements with the various telephone companies.

Since 1997, 460 masts have been installed in the city of Rome alone, in addition to the 150 existing prior to that date. The consumers' association, Codacons, has carried out a number of studies into the dangers posed by the electromagnetic fields generated by such masts, reaching the conclusion that long-term exposure to these waves leads to a decrease in melatonin, weakening the immune system.

In the light of the above:

1. Are there any directives governing the uncontrolled installation of masts generating electromagnetic fields?

2. Does the Commission not think that local residents should be involved in decisions on the installation of such masts?

3. What are the Commission's general views on this matter?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2000)

The Community regulatory framework on telecommunications in a competitive environment establishes the principle of the national regulatory authority of each Member State being responsible for supervision, and intervention where necessary, on matters related to the installation of antennas and other facility sharing arrangements required by mobile operators for the deployment of its network infrastructure. In particular under Article 9(2) of Directive 97/33/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 on interconnection in telecommunications with regard to ensuring universal service and interoperability through application of the principles of open network provision (ONP)(1) the national regulatory authority is empowered to set out ex ante conditions to ensure the maintenance of essential requirements including maximum levels of electromagnetic radiation of antennas for the protection of public health. Moreover, the Community has provided further guidance to Member States to exercise its responsibility in this regard with the publication of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0Hz to 300 Ghz)(2).

Italian legislation and rules on the limits for the exposure to the general public to electromagnetic fields, including technical conditions for the safety installation of antennas and maximum emission of electromagnetic fields (Italian Ministerial Decree No381 of 10 September 1998) are considered to be generally in line with international standards and recommendations, for example, those included in Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC even if they are not legally binding. The full respect of the basic restrictions and reference levels included in the Recommendation will ensure users a high level of protection against acute and long-term effects of non-ionising radiation emitted by such devices. Obviously, those rules have to be enforced via local implementation and a competent control body should ensure that the protection and quality objectives adopted by the legislator are respected in all cases, and this responsibility belongs to the Italian authorities.

(1) OJ L 199, 26.7.1997.

(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.