WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3317/97 by Mihail PAPAYANNAKIS to the Commission. Disposal of used catalytic converters
Date: 1997-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, PAPAYANNAKIS
Subjects: Greece, anti-pollution device, environmental protection, motor car, public health, waste disposal, waste management, waste recycling

C 134/136

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

(98/C 134/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3317/97

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(20 October 1997)

Subject: Disposal of used catalytic converters

Some years have elapsed since Greece decided to promote the use of vehicles fitted with catalytic converters, and
hundreds of thousands of such vehicles are already on the roads. The time has now come for many of these
vehicles to change this equipment. In its reply to a previous question (1808/96) (1), the Commission stated that (cid:145)a
proposal is being prepared on end of life vehicles, (but) the preparatory work in relation to this proposal has not
been completed(cid:146).

Will the Commission state, one year after providing the above answer, whether the preparatory work in relation
to the proposal on end of life vehicles has been completed, whether the converters which are being removed from
end  of  life  vehicles  pose  a  threat  to  the  environment  and  public  health  and  whether  it  has  any  information
regarding the disposal of used catalytic converters in Greece?

(1)  OJ C 385, 19.12.1996, p. 41.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1997)

The  preparatory  work  mentioned  by  the  Commission  in  its  answer  to  written  question  1808/96  by
Mr Papayannakis has been completed and a proposal for a directive on end of life vehicles was adopted by the
Commission  on  9  July  1997 (1).  This  contains  measures  in  the  field  of  prevention  of  waste  from  end  of  life
vehicles, collection of end of life vehicles, their treatment, recycling, and recovery, as well as monitoring and
information. In particular, it lays down quantified targets for the re-use, recycling and recovery of end of life
vehicles.

In the light of the potential threat posed by used catalytic converters to the environment and public health, the
proposal requires Member States to ensure that vehicles are stripped before any further treatment. This includes
the environmentally safe removal and storage of catalytic converters with a view to their recycling. The proposal
does not contain a specific recycling obligation for catalytic converters but lays down recovery and recycling
requirements for the entire vehicle. In particular, it requires Member States to ensure that, by 2005, 85% of the
vehicle(cid:146)s weight is reused or recovered (95% by 2015) and 80% is reused or recycled (85% by 2015).

At present the Commission does not have any information concerning the disposal of used catalytic converters in
Greece.

(1)  COM(97) 358 final.

(98/C 134/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3321/97

by Joaqu(cid:14)·n Siso· Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(20 October 1997)

Subject: Television and the deaf in Europe

Television is becoming increasingly important as a means of communication and source of entertainment for the
deaf. There are no real technical problems preventing its adaptation to the needs of those with hearing problems,
although there are great differences in the way and the extent to which this is being done in the various Member
States of the Union.

Can the Commission say whether any kind of aid is allocated to ensure that European television companies can
broadcast more programmes suitable for the deaf population?