WRITTEN QUESTION E-3721/97 by Bryan Cassidy (PPE) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: Progress of the single market in building materials

I have previously (question No E-3170/96 ((OJ C 105, 3.4.1997, p. 62. ))) asked the European Commission about progress in the development of test methods for building materials in the single market, and I understand that a decision about the selection of a test method is imminent.

Based on recent knowledge about several large European fires, I would like the Commission to reassure me that the method to be selected will cover all important parameters, including development of smoke, which is a major cause of deaths in fires.

I understand that an international standard, ISO 9705, already exists and is applied in several Member States. As the establishment of free trade, also beyond the borders of the single market, is of the utmost importance for European enterprises, I would like to urge the Commission to ensure that this standard, or a European standard directly comparable to ISO 9706, is selected.

Subsidiarity is a principle that should be adhered to as much as possible, but in cases where European citizens' lives are at risk it is also of extreme importance that it is ensured that the basic requirements for differentiation of material are implemented in all member countries, and that the requirements cover all risk elements in the products concerned. I would ask the Commission to confirm that this will be the case when deciding on test methods and standards in the area of building materials.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 January 1998)

In its Decision 94/611/EC of 9 September 1994 ((OJ L 241, 16.9.1994. )) implementing Article 20 of Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products ((OJ L 40, 11.2.1989. )), the Commission defined five of the six test methods to be used for the classification of construction products with respect to their reaction to fire. The sixth test, the 'single burning item' test for products other than floorings, has required further development.

Following the completion of an experimental programme involving fifteen European laboratories each testing thirty construction products three times, the Commission sought the opinion of Member States on the 'single burning item' test method at the meeting of the standing committee on construction on 2 and 3 December 1997. The national fire regulators from all Member States had already been fully involved in the development of the test method. The standing committee expressed a positive opinion on the adoption of the test method, by qualified majority (thirteen Member States in favour, one against and one abstention). The standing committee also agreed to mandate the development of the European standard for the test method to the European committee for standardisation (CEN).

The Commission would like to stress that all the fire parameters foreseen in Decision 94/611/EC, including smoke production, have been retained, the latter being one of the five parameters to be measured in the 'single burning item' test. In addition, the international standard ISO 9705 has been maintained as the reference scenario for the whole classification system.

The Commission considers that the European classification system, based on the European standards describing the six test methods, will cover all necessary fire risk elements and provide sufficient discrimination between construction products. The system will also respect the right of Member States to regulate building safety according to their different traditions, and to set appropriate levels of safety for their citizens.