EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/369

(2004/C 78 E/0389)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 April 2003)

Subject: Cooperation with the Slovak Institute of Metrology

There is evidence which would appear to point to significant shortcomings in terms of the quality of research results, health protection and also of staff at the Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU) in Karlova Ves.

Such concerns have been voiced, ‘inter alia’, by the national institute of health of the Slovak Republic and, following a petition from a citizen, by the committee on health of the Slovak parliament (in its 65th session of 11 July 2002), as well as by Mr Gabris of the dosimetry laboratory of the Austrian federal office of metrology (BEV) in Seibersdorf.

In particular, serious irregularities have been reported in connection with the project for the building of the cyclotron centre. The Euromet 526 project carried out in cooperation with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Braunschweig, Germany was so seriously affected that the SMU's involvement in the project had to be terminated.

1. What financial and other EU support does the Slovak Institute of Metrology receive/has it received overall and within the framework of Euromet?

2. In what specific ways, and by whom, has the use of resources and research, measurements and equipment (for example apparatus, quality of staff employed, health protection) been monitored and examined?

3. What is the Commission's view of the above serious concerns and criticisms expressed regarding research and management at the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS SR) and the SMU?

4. What conclusions does the Commission intend to draw with regard to further cooperation?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2003)

The cyclotron and Euromet 526 projects referred to in the question of the Honourable Member have not been supported by Community Funds. The Slovak Institute of Metrology (SMU) was, however, a beneficiary of a 1999 PHARE Twinning project aimed at improving the overall administrative infrastructure in the internal market area. In particular, the SMU received a one-off assistance supporting the introduction of a quality management system meeting ISO 9001-2000. This was provided primarily through the provision of expert advice from Member State experts. A total of EUR 179 245 was budgeted for the provision of this support to the SMU. In September 2002, the main objective of this assistance was met as the SMU received ISO 9001-2000 accreditation.

SMU is also a beneficiary of three research projects, within the specific research programme ‘Competitive and sustainable growth’ of the Community's 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. More information on these projects is available on the Cordis data base at (http://www.cordis.lu/growth/src/projects.htm).

In the course of the Commission's monitoring of Slovakia's preparations for accession and the ability to fulfil the requirements of the ‘acquis’, the Commission has generally found the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (UNMS) to be functioning well, although further improvements could be made. In view in particular of the Comprehensive Monitoring Report that the Commission will produce this Autumn on the acceding countries preparation for accession, the Commission particularly welcomes hearing the views of all stakeholders in order that these can be taken into account. The Commission will continue to co-operate with the Slovak bodies concerned to identify shortcomings, including any of the nature mentioned by the Honourable Member, and in order to support efforts aimed at further improvements.