WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2620/97 by Jens-Peter BONDE to the Commission. Noise standards for machinery and engine-rooms
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: BONDE, European Parliament
Subjects: Denmark, application of EU law, health risk, machinery, noise, noise level, noise protection, occupational health, occupational safety, working conditions

C 102/74

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

3. 4. 98

Specific  programmes  within  the  4th  Framework  Programme  on  research  and  development  (R&D)  and
demonstration  covering  1994-98  (Parliament  and  Council  Decision  1110/94/EC) (1)  could  provide  funds  for
innovative projects. This applies in particular to the JOULE, Thermie and FAIR programmes.

In addition, if the project is located within a region that is eligible under objective 5b or objective 6, it could
possibly receive a subsidy granted under the Structural Funds (Regulation 2052/88 (2), as last amended by the act
relating  to  the  conditions  of  accession  of  the  Kingdom  of  Norway,  the  Republic  of  Austria,  the  Republic  of
Finland, and the Kingdom of Sweden (3) › Council Decision 95/1/EC, Euratom/ECSC (4).

The Commission is currently mapping out a strategy for the future development of renewable energy sources,
including an action plan on this subject. The White Paper will be the outcome of a broad consultation initiated by
the  Green  Paper  on  (cid:145)Energy  for  the  future:  renewable  energy  sources(cid:146) (5).  The  Commission  has  received  the
reactions of more than 80 operators involved in such (cid:145)renewables(cid:146). Owing to its importance, biomass, including
the specific technology referred to by the Honourable Member, will occupy an important place in this action
plan.

Finally, it should be pointed out that the proposal for a Council Decision on a multiannual programme promoting
renewable  energy  sources  within  the  Community  (Altener  II (6))  provides  for  action  that  is  likely  to  prompt
investment in renewables (Article 2(2)).

(1)  OJ L 126, 18.5.1994.
(2)  OJ L 185, 15.7.1988.
(3)  OJ L 241, 29.8.1994. 
(4)  OJ L 1, 1.1.1995. 
(5)  Doc. COM(96) 576. 
(6)  Doc. COM(97) 87.

(98/C 102/109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2620/97

by Jens-Peter Bonde (I-EDN) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Noise standards for machinery and engine-rooms

Will the Commission answer my three questions (E-2009/97) (1) with a (cid:145)Yes(cid:146) or a (cid:145)No(cid:146)?

(1)  OJ C 391, 23.12.1997, p. 149.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1997)

To  add  to  the  answer  given  earlier,  it  should  be  pointed  out  that  the  amended  Directive  89/392/EEC (1)
concerning  machinery  states  explicitly  in  Article  2(2)  that  (cid:145)The  provisions  of  this  Directive  shall  not  affect
Member States’ entitlement to lay down, in due observance of the Treaty, such requirements as they may deem
necessary to ensure that persons and in particular workers are protected when using the machines in question ...(cid:146).

In  these  circumstances,  the  Danish  authorities,  with  a  view  to  reducing  the  noise  to  which  the  workers  are
exposed,  and  insofar  as  the  machines  must  not  be  modified,  may  request  that  the  machines  be  protected
individually. They may also request, with a view to reducing the noise experienced to acceptable levels, that
workers use personal protective equipment.

(1)  Directive No 89/392/EEC of 14 June 1989 (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989; amended by Directives 91/368/EEC (OJ L 198, 22.7.1991), 93/44/EEC

(OJ L 175, 19.7.1993) and 93/68/EEC (OJ L 220, 30.8.1993).