WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4053/97 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Imports of dangerous Chinese fireworks
Date: 1997-12-15
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITEHEAD
Subjects: China, accident prevention, consumer protection, dangerous substance, explosive, import restriction, product safety, public awareness campaign













EUR-Lex - 91997E4053 - EN






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91997E4053

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 4053/97 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Imports of dangerous Chinese fireworks  


Official Journal C 187 , 16/06/1998 P. 0116 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-4053/97 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission (15 December 1997)Subject: Imports of dangerous Chinese fireworksIn an answer to Written Question E-0102/95 ((OJ C 145, 12.6.1995, p. 28. )) the Commission dismissed the possibility of a European proposal addressing the issue of firework safety. The argument was that public safety could be efficiently ensured through the General Product Safety Directive. Since that time, there has been an increase in the incidence of accidents and casualties associated with the use of the explosive Chinese mortar fireworks. This suggests that the Product Safety Directive is failing to guarantee consumers the level of safety which they may reasonably expect (that the product is safe for the purpose it can reasonable be expected to perform).Does the Commission believe that the entry of these fireworks into the Community represents:1. a failure of controls at the point of entry to ensure conformity of products to basic safety standards? If so, what action does the Commission propose to take to improve the safety checks on imports?or2. a more general inadequacy of the General Product Safety Directive to ensure firework safety? If so, would the Commission reconsider its position on legislation to ensure the safety of fireworks?Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1998)The Commission remains of the opinion that it is not necessary to propose any action for specific regulation of fireworks at Community level.The Commission is concerned about accidents arising from the use of fireworks, particularly if these have increased recently? but the level and seriousness of accidents depends largely on the local customs for public use of fireworks, which differ widely among Member States. All Member States enforce safety regulations on fireworks which fit their local customs. The Commission considers that a Directive on fireworks would not be more effective in preventing accidents than these national safety regulations.This means that the safety of fireworks originating in a third country (such as China) should be controlled by Member States, according to their own regulations, before they can be marketed in the Community. The enforcement of these controls is a matter for Member States RATHER than the Commission.The Commission does not believe that the General product safety Directive ((OJ L 228, 11.8.1992. )) is failing consumers in this regard. This Directive does not specifically regulate fireworks, but does contain guidance for national authorities aimed at the prevention of accidents. There is evidence that prevention and information campaigns by national or local authorities can also play an effective role in reducing the number of accidents, particularly if these precede a period when fireworks are heavily used (such as New Year).