WRITTEN QUESTION E-2437/00

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(19 July 2000)

Subject: Dangers posed by electromagnetic fields

The European Parliament recently dealt with the question of the risks posed by electromagnetic radiation in the Tamino report on a proposal for a Council recommendation on setting limits for exposure of the public to electromagnetic fields. Parliament supported the adoption of a common framework in this field and stressed the need for more extensive research into the effects on health of electromagnetic fields and the urgent need for a wide-ranging and continuing campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of exposure.

In response to this position, only some Member States have taken steps to legislate in this field by introducing framework laws. There is concern among the population, together with a desire for knowledge and for precise rules to provide safeguards against the risk of prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation and the effects this might have.

In the light of the above, does the Commission not think it necessary to call on the Member States which have been slow to act and urge them to adopt the appropriate legislative provisions on the basis of the recommendation?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

In response to the Honourable Member's concerns, the Commission would point out that Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)(1) invites Member States to adopt a framework of basic restrictions and reference levels, taking Annex I, point 3 of the Recommendation as a basis and aiming to obtain respect of the basic restrictions given in Annex II for public exposure. The Commission will be publishing a report on the impementation of this text in 2001.

The Council Recommendation also invites the Commission to work towards the establishment of European standards. In this context, the Commission has drafted a standardisation mandate regarding electromagnetic fields (EMF), covering all products, which falls within the framework of the low voltage Directive(2) and the radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment Directive(3). Since the mandate relates to new approach directives, the European harmonised standards produced will give presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the directives and all standards in Member States conflicting with the harmonised standards have to be withdrawn.

Compliance of a product with the emission limits given in the harmonised standards is intended to ensure that the measured EMF exposure of the human body originating from this apparatus will not, under normal use, exceed the limits given in the Council Recommendation. So far as safety of relevant products is concerned, there would be no need for Member States to introduce further regulation in the area of products covered by the two directives, since transposition of these directives into national law already covers it.

The Council Recommendation also invites the Commission to encourage research into the long and short-term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. Initial research in this area was carried out during the Third and Fourth Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development (R&D). Although none of the research (covering possible heat effects and cellular metabolic disturbances due to the various types of electromagnetic fields) yielded evidence of harmful effects on health, further results are required in order to set the public's concerns fully to rest. Consequently, electromagnetic radiation is specifically included in the Fifth Framework Programme, within the work programme for key action 4 (Environment and health) of theme 1 (Quality of life and management of living resources). In the context of the 1999 call for proposals, five proposals were selected, involving funding to the tune of approximately 9 million euro. These projects commenced at the start of this year and should bear fruit three years hence.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.

(2) Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (OJ L 77, 26.3.1973).

(3) 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 (OJ L 91, 7.4.1999).