WRITTEN QUESTION P-1989/97 by John Iversen (PSE) to the Commission (30 May 1997)

Subject: New EU safety requirements for lifts: problems for wheelchair users

What is the Commission's reaction to the new EU requirements concerning increased safety in passenger lifts which considerably restrict the use of lifts by wheelchair users?

Under the new EU safety requirements for lifts, doors have to be fitted to the lift cage, thereby isolating users from the lift shaft. The new requirements adversely affect access by the disabled to many buildings. It is very difficult to fit doors to existing lift cages without reducing the space available. The lift cage could then become so small that:

- wheelchairs cannot get into it

- wheelchairs cannot turn round to allow users to reach the buttons

- wheelchair users cannot be accompanied.

Is there not another way of increasing safety in lifts? Could a safety device, such as a blocking mechanism between the cage and the shaft or a very sensitive stopping mechanism, be developed to provide the required degree of safety?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 June 1997)

The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that there are two parts to the Community safety requirements for lifts.

Firstly, European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/EC of 29 June 1995 ((OJ L 213 of 7.9.1995. )) applies only to new lifts placed on the market after 1 July 1999, with a transitional period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1999. The Directive does not contain any provision which might prevent disabled persons, and particularly wheelchair users, from using lifts. On the contrary, it sets out specific points for access to the lift cage by disabled persons (see essential requirements, point 1.2). Furthermore, at the express request of Parliament, the Directive was accompanied by a declaration published in the same Official Journal which recommended that at least one lift in all new buildings be accessible to disabled persons, and particularly to wheelchair users.

Secondly, the Commission recommendation of 8 June 1995 ((OJ L 134 of 20.6.1995. )) applies to safety improvements for existing lifts. The recommendation is addressed to the Member States and invites them to take the necessary measures within their territories. It sets out different measures for improving safety, notably the installation of lift cage doors which could, in the case of small lift cages, impede access by wheelchair users. In this case it is open to Member States to take other measures such as those proposed, viz. a blocking mechanism or a sensitive stopping mechanism.

In the mandate given to the European standardisation bodies (European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (Cenelec), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)) for the application of directive 95/16/EC, the preparation of a harmonised standard for lifts carrying disabled persons, and particularly wheelchair users, is specifically addressed. To apply the above-mentioned recommendation, the Commission is planning to supplement the mandate to include the establishment of a standard for existing lifts, which would cover lift cage doors and other devices providing an equivalent level of safety.