WRITTEN QUESTION No. 601/98 by David BOWE to the Commission. Implementation by Member States of Directive 91/156/EEC
Date: 1998-03-04
Institutions: BOWE, European Parliament
Subjects: EC Directive, EU Member State, Spain, environmental protection, national implementing measure, terminology, waste disposal, waste management, waste recycling

C 323/52

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

21. 10. 98

Regarding fuel quality, Council Directive 85/210/EEC of 20 March 1985 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States concerning the lead content of petrol (1) has thus far allowed a maximum rate of 5% benzene by
volume for both leaded and unleaded petrol.

Changes affecting both benzene and aromatics in general are planned in the short term, once Parliament and the
Council  have  adopted  the  legislation  proposed  by  the  Commission  under  the  Auto  Oil  programme (2).
On 1  January  2000  a  maximum  rate  of  1%  of  benzene  for  leaded  and  unleaded  petrol  will  become  the  rule.
The maximum rate for aromatics (benzene, but also toluene and xylene) in unleaded petrol will be regulated on
the same date and, pending a final decision from the Council and Parliament, should be between 42% and 35% in
Europe, compared with levels exceeding 50% in some Member States.

The  Auto  Oil  I  programme  will  also  require  European  manufacturers  of  petrol-engine  vehicles  to  alter  their
practice by fitting on-board diagnostic equipment to inform drivers of any faults in their anti-pollution equipment
and point them towards the necessary repairs. Lastly, and still under the Auto Oil programme, a directive is being
proposed (3) which will simultaneously toughen up inspections and maintenance. All these measures will clearly
help  improve  air  quality  throughout  Europe  as  from  2000.  As  for  the  period  beyond  2000,  the  Auto  Oil  II
programme, currently being drawn up, is due to present its conclusions in mid-1999 regarding the fuel quality
and vehicle technology we will need by the year 2005.

In  a  broader  context,  Directive  96/62/EC (4)  establishing  a  framework  for  the  future  policy  on  air  quality  in
Europe  is  designed  to  prevent,  anticipate  and  reduce  the  impact  of  pollution  on  human  health  and  the
environment. This framework Directive requires the Commission to propose (cid:145)daughter(cid:146) directives establishing
air quality standards for 12 individual pollutants. The Commission is currently formulating proposals with a view
to setting limit values for benzene.

(1)  OJ L 96, 3.4.1985.
(2)  COM(96) 248 final.
(3)  COM(98) 117.
(4)  OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.

(98/C 323/70)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0601/98

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 1998)

Subject: Implementation by Member States of Directive 91/156/EEC

Can  the  Commission  provide  a  list  of  which  Member  States  have  implemented  the  provisions  of  Directive
91/156/EEC (1), pursuant to Article 2.

(1)  OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 32.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 1998)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that all Member States have implemented the
provisions of Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 amending Directive 75/442/EEC on waste (1),
except Spain.

The list of national provisions communicated by the Member States concerning Directive 91/156/EEC amending
Directive 75/442/EEC on waste (2) is sent directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament(cid:146)s Secretariat.

(1)  OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(2)  OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.