EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/430

(2004/C 84 E/0501)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0567/04

by Marie-Arlette Carlotti (PSE) to the Commission

(19 February 2004)

Subject: Limitation of public exposure to electromagnetic fields

Council recommendation 1999/519/EC (1) of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) set up a Community framework with regard to exposure to electromagnetic fields, to provide protection in areas where members of the public spend significant time in relation to the effects of these fields.

One point of the recommendation provides for revision in the light of progress in scientific assessment of the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields and on the basis of national reports to be prepared after a period of three years and a Commission report prepared within five years.

1. Can the Commission state the current situation regarding the report that it is due to present before 12 July 2004 and state progress in implementing the recommendation, on the basis of information forwarded in the Member States' reports?

2. Does the Commission envisage proposing a specific directive on electromagnetic contamination, to establish a Community framework with a high level of protection against public exposure to electromagnetic fields, in accordance with the precautionary principle with regard to environmental protection and public health?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2004)

As mentioned by the Honourable Member, on 12 July 1999, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EEC limiting the exposure of the general public to non-ionising radiation with a view of protecting human health in a frequency range of 0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Giga Herz (GHz).

In response to the continuing public concern and the requirements of the Recommendation, the Commission asked the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment in 2001 to provide an up-dated opinion on this matter. The Committee confirmed in its opinion of 30 October 2001 that the additional information that had become available in recent years did not justify a revision of the exposure limits set in the Council Recommendation and that there was insufficient scientific evidence to propose an alternative. In addition, the Commission published an implementation report concerning the Recommendation in March 2003, covering measures taken in the Member States. The overall picture emerging is that most Member States have implemented measures in line with the Council Recommendation. Some of the Member States have chosen stricter limits or do not cover the whole frequency range.

In addition, Community legislation governing radio products, including mobile telephone masts, obliges manufacturers to ensure that they are safe. In particular, Article 3(l)(a) of Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2), also obliges manufacturers to ensure that their products do not have an adverse effect on health when used for their intended purpose. Within the context of this Directive and the Council Recommendation, the Commission is also working towards the establishment of European standards of compliance with the recommended basic restrictions. This is currently done by Cenelec, the European standardisation organisation for electrical equipment. A standard already exists for the measurement of the specific absorption rate related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from mobile phones (EN 50361).

Finally, considerable research work has been and continues to be undertaken to investigate possible long term effects on health of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Three major studies have been published recently: (a) United Kingdom Independent Advisory Group on Non Ionizing Radiation (January 2004); (b) Health Council of the Netherlands (January 2004); (c) Swedish Radiation Protection Authorities (December 2003).

The three studies conclude that there is no conclusive evidence of other than thermal effects of EMF. This was also confirmed in a conference, which was recently held on the matter (http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/rtte/emfworkshop/index.htm). The World Health Organisation is currently conducting a major assessment relating to EMF. In addition, the Commission funds research projects (Fifth Framework Programme (FP) and 6th FP) on the biological and health effects of EMF (Directorate General Research and Technological Development DG RTD) and other support action programmes such as COST 281 (DG Information Society (INFSO)) that is contributing to the coordination and harmonisation of national research programmes investigating the possible health implications of EMF. It is to be expected that the outcome of this research work will provide key elements to determine eventual further steps.

The Commission therefore judges premature any operational decision before this project is completed.

The Commission's 2000 Communication on the precautionary principle (3) sets out the framework for its application in the Community context.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 59.

(2) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

(3) COM(2000) 0001 final.