EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/147

(2004/C 78 E/0152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651/03

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Consumer involvement in the common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC

In the answer given by the Commission to a previous question (E-0879/03 (1), 2 May 2003) the Commission claimed that looking back at the first phase of one and a half years, the common implementation strategy had delivered on expectations, including the involvement of stakeholders and non-governmental organisations. However, the Commission admitted that although in October 2001 it invited European consumer umbrella organisations BEUC and AEC to participate, neither organisation had to date joined the implementation strategy process.

Does the Commission regret that no organisation representing consumers, who are a key stakeholder in the aims and objectives of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC (2)), is participating in the process? BEUC has proposed to the Commission that the UK consumer body WaterVoice should be invited to participate as an expert water consumer group, but the Commission is understood to have declined because WaterVoice is not classed as a European organisation. Is the Commission satisfied that it is right not to make a pragmatic exception which would achieve some involvement by a consumer organisation rather than as now, and over the last one and a half years, none at all?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2003)

The Commission regrets that, so far, no European, or international, consumer organisation is currently participating in the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the Water Framework Directive (3). Since the last communication on this issue (response to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-0879/03), the Commission has continued to encourage and invite European and international consumer organisations to participate in the Common Implementation Strategy. In addition to the Bureau Européen des Unions des Consommateurs (BEUC) and the Association of European Consumers (AEC) which were already contacted in 2002, the Commission has also approached ‘Consumers International’ and invited that organisation to take part in the CIS. Consumers International has shown considerable interest and is currently consulting with BEUC in order to agree on an appropriate modus operandi.

In the beginning of the CIS, criteria for participation of stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been laid down and agreed between the Commission and the Member States. These criteria include the requirement that participating organisations should have a European vocation representing the consolidated views of different national or regional bodies. The reason for this restriction was to ensure that the inputs from the different interest groups were balanced and representative of a wide range of opinion rather than simply presenting national or regional positions. In addition, in many of the Member States the national implementation process for the Water Framework Directive includes the active participation of national and regional interest groups and there is no interest to repeat this structure at a European level. With the exception of the consumer organisations, the criteria for participation have been proven useful in practice without being too restrictive.

As regards the United Kingdom's consumer body ‘Water Voice’, the Commission has taken note of their interest. In order to find a solution which enables this national organisation to participate, while still respecting the general criteria, the Commission suggested to BEUC that ‘Water Voice’ might send a representative on behalf of BEUC. In their response, BEUC clearly stated that Water Voice cannot represent BEUC as a whole'. Therefore, the application of ‘Water Voice’ had to be regarded as from a national organisation rather than a European umbrella organisation and thus representing regional (England & Wales) not European consumers' interests. It also has to be kept in mind that the situation in England and Wales concerning the structure of the water sector is unique in Europe and that consumer experience is therefore unlikely to be representative. In parallel to the efforts of ‘Water Voice’ to participate in the CIS, the Commission has invited ‘Water Voice’ to apply for access to the information exchange platform (CIRCA system) for the CIS: the CIRCA System includes all the documentation that is prepared in the context of the CIS.

The Commission will continue its efforts to ensure that European consumers interests as a whole are being represented in the Common Implementation Strategy. The Commission is confident that in the ongoing dialogue with Consumer International an appropriate solution will be found.

(1) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 110.

(2) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

(3) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.