Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision adopting a programme of Community action 1999- 2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health
Date: 1998-04-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: action programme, air quality, disease prevention, public health

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 15.04.1998 
COM(1998) 231  final 

97/0153 (COD) 

Amended proposal for a 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting a 

programme of Community action  1999-2003 on pollution-related diseases in the context 
of the framework  for action in the field of public health 

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The  initial  proposal  for  a  European  Parliament  and  Council  decision  adopting  a 
programme of Community action on pollution-related  diseases was adopted  by the 
Commission on 4 June  19971. 

The  Economic  and  Social  Committee2  and  the  Committee  of  the  Regions3 
delivered favourable  opinions on this initial Commission  proposal. 

In the  light  of the  European  Parliament's  opinion  adopted  on  11 March  1998, an 
amended  proposal  for  a  decision  is  now  submitted  by  the  Commission  in 
accordance  with  Article  189a  (2)  of  the  Treaty. 
incorporates 
amendments that clarify  and broaden the actions covered  by the programme. 

The  text 

The  European  Parliament  has adopted  12 amendments  of  which  4  are  acceptable 
by the Commission  ( n° 7 in toto, n° 3, 9,  10 partially). 

The amendments  which  are not  acceptable  by the  Commission  can  be grouped  as 
follows: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

amendments  that  refer  to  the  Amsterdam  Treaty,  which  is not  yet  ratified 
(n°  1-2); 

amendments  that  broaden  the  scope  of  the  proposed  actions  to  an 
unacceptable degree (n° 4,  11,  12 and  13); 

the  amendment  on  the  budget  (n°  5).  The  financial  perspectives,  as  they 
currently  stand,  do  not  allow  for  the  sum  proposed  by  the  European 
Parliament  Due  to  the  uncertainty  over  the  future  financial  perspectives, 
the Commission  cannot  accept  a financial  framework  that  exceeds  for  each 
year  of  the  programme  the  annual  provision  set  out  in  its  initial  proposal 
for the first  year of action,  1999; 

(d) 

and an amendment  which is not  consistent  with  the corresponding  wording 
used in previous decisions on public health programmes (n° 6). 

1 

2 

3 

OJ  N°C2I4  16.7 97, p. 7-10 

Opinion delivered on 29 October  1997, OJ N° C  19  21.1.98, p. 6-8 

Opinion delivered  on 20 November  1997, OJ N° C 64  27.2.98, p. 91-95 

2 

Proposal for a 

EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL  DECISION 

adopting a programme of Community  action  1999-2003 on  pollution-related 
diseases in the context of the framework  for action in the field of public health. 

INITIAL PROPOSAL 

AMENDED  PROPOSAL 

THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND 
THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
UNION 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article  129 thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the 
Commission, 

Having  regard 
Economic and Social Committee, 

the  opinion  of 

to 

Having  regard 
Committee of the Regions, 

to 

the  Opinion  of 

the 

the 

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
referred  to in Article  189b of the Treaty, 

1.  Whereas  pollution-related  diseases  are 
the 
growing 
European  Community  and  raising  public 
concern; 

importance 

throughout 

in 

2. Whereas, in accordance  with  point  (o) of 
Article  3  of  the  Treaty,  Community  action 
shall 
the 
attainment  of  a  high 
level  of  health 
protection; 

include  a  contribution 

to 

action; 

cooperation  between 

3.  Whereas  Article  129  expressly  provides 
for  Community  competence  in this field,  by 
encouraging 
the 
Member  States  and,  if  necessary,  lending 
promoting 
their 
support 
to 
their 
coordination 
and 
of 
policies 
fostering  cooperation 
programmes,  and 
international 
with 
organisations  competent  in  the  sphere  of 
public  health;  whereas  Community  action 
should  be  directed  towards  the  prevention 
of  diseases,  and  the  promotion  of  health 
education and  information; 

third  countries  and 

4. Whereas Article  130r of the Treaty  states 
that  Community  policy  on  the  environment 

shall  contribute  to  protecting  public health; 

the 

5.  Whereas  the  prevention  of  pollution-
related  diseases  has  to  include  not  only 
measures  aimed  at 
sources  and 
concentrations  of  pollutants  and  on  limiting 
exposure,  but  also  public  health  actions 
directed  at  the  public  to  enable  individuals 
to  reduce  exposure  and  mitigate  adverse 
effects  on  health  and  whereas  data  on 
health  effects  and  on  exposure  should  be 
on 
collected 
concentrations  of air pollutants; 

in  parallel  with  data 

its  Resolution  of  11 
6.  Whereas 
in 
the  Council  and  the 
November  199P 
Ministers  for  Health  of  the  Member  States, 
meeting  within  the  Council, 
invited  the 
Commission,  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
competent  authorities  of 
the  Member 
States,  to  take  stock  of  the  knowledge  and 
experience  available  in  the  Member  States, 
international 
the 
Community 
organizations  regarding 
the  relationship 
between  health  and the environment; 

and 

7.  Whereas  pollution-related  diseases  have 
been 
for 
identified  as  a  priority  area 
Community  action  within  the  framework 
for action  in the field  of public health2; 

8.  Whereas  in  its  Resolution  (A4-0311/95) 
the  Medium-Term  Social  Action 
on 
Programme  1995-19973 
the  Parliament 
asked  the Commission  to  present,  under the 
proper  procedures,  the  action  programme 
on  pollution-related  diseases  foreseen  in the 
framework  communication 
Commission's 
on public health; 

in  accordance  with 

9.  Whereas, 
the 
principle  of  subsidiarity,  action  on  matters 
not  under  the  exclusive  competence  of  the 
Community,  such  as  action  on  pollution-
related  diseases,  must  be  undertaken  by  the 
Community  only  if  and  in  so  far  as,  by 
reason  of  its  scale  or  effects,  it  may  be 
better achieved  at Community  level; 

10.  Whereas  the  proposed  measures  in  the 
present  programme  will  yield  a Community-
added  value  by  bringing  together  activities 

1  OJN°C304  23.11.91. p. 5 

2  COM  (9.1) 559 Final 

3  OJ N° C 032  05.02.96. p.  15-24 

already  undertaken  in  relative  isolation  at 
national  level  and  by  complementing  one 
another  with  significant  results  for  the 
Community  as  a  whole,  by  contributing  to 
the  strengthening of  solidarity  and  cohesion 
in the Community  and by leading,  where the 
need  is  recognised,  to  the  establishment  of 
best  practice  norms and standards. 

cooperation  with 

11.  Whereas 
the 
international  organisations  competent  in the 
field  of  public  health  and  with 
third 
countries should be  fostered; 

better 

knowledge 

12.  Whereas,  by  providing  support  for 
acquiring 
and 
understanding  of,  and  wider  dissemination 
of 
information  about,  pollution-related 
diseases,  their  association  with  pollutants 
improved 
and  their  prevention,  ensuring 
these 
comparability  of 
subjects 
actions 
complementary 
to  existing  Community 
programmes  and  actions,  while  avoiding 
the  programme 
unnecessary  duplication, 
will  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the 
Community  objectives  set  out  in  Article 
129; 

information  on 
developing 

and  by 

Commission 

13.  Whereas  a  "modus  vivendi"  between 
the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and 
the 
the 
implementing  measures  for  acts  adopted  in 
accordance  with the procedure  laid  down  in 
Article  189b  of  the  Treaty  was  concluded 
on 20  December  1994; 

concerning 

framework 

constituting 

14.  Whereas  this  decision  lays  down,  a 
financial 
the 
principal  point  of  reference,  within  the 
meaning of point  1 of the  Declaration  of the 
European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the 
Commission  of  6  March  1995,  for  the 
budgetary  authority  during 
the  annual 
budgetary  procedure; 

financial 
15.  Whereas  the  Community's 
perspective  is  valid  up  until  1999  and  will 
have  to  be  revised  for  the  period  beyond 
that date; 

16. Whereas the financial  framework  for the 
last  four  years  of  the  programme  (2000-
2003) 
the 
financial 
establishment 
perspectives; 

shall  be  determined  after 
the 

future 

of 

17.  Whereas,  in  order  to  increase  the  value 
and impact  of the  programme,  a  continuous 
the  actions  undertaken 
assessment  of 

should  be carried  out,  with  particular  regard 
to  their  effectiveness  and  the  achievement 
of the  objectives  set  and,  with  a view  where 
appropriate, 
the  necessary 
adjustments; 

to  making 

18.  Whereas  this  programme  should  be  of 
allow 
five-year  duration 
sufficient 
be 
for 
implemented  to  achieve the objectives  set; 

in  order 

actions 

time 

to 

to 

HAVE  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS 

Article I 

Establishment  of the  programme 

are 

diseases  which 

1.  A  programme  of  Community  action 
against 
caused, 
provoked  or  aggravated  by  environmental 
to  as  "this 
pollution,  hereinafter  referred 
programme", 
the 
for 
period  1  January  1999  to  31  December 
2003  in  the  context  of  the  framework  for 
action  in the  field  of public  health. 

is  hereby  adopted 

is 

this  programme 

to 
2.  The  aim  of 
contribute  towards  ensuring  a  high  level  of 
health  protection  against  pollution-related 
diseases  by 
improving  knowledge  and 
understanding  about  health  risks  associated 
with  them  and  how  to  address  them,  in 
particular  with  regard  to  asthma  and  other 
respiratory  diseases,  and  to  allergies. 

3.  The  actions  to  be  implemented  under  this 
programme  and  their  specific  objectives  are 
set  out  in the  Annex  under  the  headings: 

1.  Actions 
information 
diseases 

on 
on 

improvement  of 
pollution-related 

1.  Actions  on 
information 
on 
diseases  and  their  definition 

improvement  of 
pollution-related 

Risk  perception 

2. 
management  with 
pollution-related  diseases 

and 
respect 

risk 
to 

3. 
allergies 

Respiratory 

diseases 

and 

Article  2 

liiiplmimlntioii 

The 

Commission 

I. 
ensure 
implementation,  in  close  cooperation  with 
the  Member  States,  of the  actions  set  out  in 
the  Annex. 

shall 

2.  The  Commission  shall  cooperate  with 
institutions  and  organisations  active  in  the 
field  of pollution-related  diseases. 

Article 3 

Budget 

for 

financial 

framework 

the 
1.  The 
implementation  of  the  programme  for  the 
year  1999  shall  be  ECU  1.3  Million,  in 
keeping  with  current  financial  perspectives. 
The  financial  framework  for  the  final  four 
years  of  the  programme  (2000-2003)  shall 
the 
be  determined 
financial 
establishment  of 
perspectives. 

in  detail 

future 

after 

the 

2.  The  annual  appropriations  shall  be 
established  by  the  Budgetary  Authority  in 
accordance with the financial  perspectives. 

Article 4 

Consistency  and  complementarity 

The  Commission  shall  ensure  that  there  is 
consistency  and  complementarity  between 
the  Community  actions  to  be  implemented 
those 
programme 
under 
this 
implemented 
relevant 
under 
Community programmes and actions. 

other 

and 

Article 5 

Committee 

1.  In  implementing  this  action  plan,  the 
Commission shall be assisted  by an advisory 
committee,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the 
Committee",  consisting  of  representatives 
of  the  Member  States  and  chaired  by  the 
Commission representative 

2.  The  representative  of  the  Commission 
shall submit to the Committee a draft  of the 
measures 
in 
particular: 

taken  concerning, 

to  be 

(a) 

the  criteria,  and  procedures  for 
selecting  and 
financing  projects 
under this programme; 

(b) 

the evaluation procedure. 

The  Committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion  on 
the  draft,  within  a  time  limit  which  the 
chairperson  may  lay down  according  to  the 
urgency  of  the  matter,  if  necessary  by 
taking a vote. 

The  opinion  shall  be  recorded 
the 
minutes;  in  addition,  each  Member  State 
shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its 
position recorded in the minutes. 

in 

The  Commission  shall  take  the  utmost 
account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by  the 
Committee.  It  shall  inform  the  Committee 
on the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. 

the  Committee 

3.  The  representative  of  the  Commission 
shall  keep 
regularly 
informed  about  Commission  proposals  or 
Community 
the 
initiatives 
implementation  of  programmes  in  other 
to  the 
policy  areas  which  are  relevant 
achievement  of 
this 
programme. 

the  objectives  of 

and 

Article 6 

International  cooperation 

1.  In  the  course  of  implementing  this 
programme, 
third 
international 
countries 
organisations  competent 
in  the  field  of 
public health shall be fostered. 

cooperation  with 
with 

and 

2.  This  programme  shall  be  open 
to 
participation  by  the  associated  countries  of 
Central  Europe (CEC), in accordance with 
the conditions  laid  down  in  the  Association 
Agreements 
Protocols 
or  Additional 
related  thereto  concerning  participation  in 
Community  programmes.  This  programme 
shall be open to participation  by Cyprus and 
Malta 
additional 
appropriations  in accordance  with  the same 
the  EFTA 
rules  as 
countries, in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with those countries. 

those  applied 

basis 

the 

on 

of 

to 

Article 7 

Monitoring and  evaluation 

1.  In  the  implementation  of  this  Decision 
the  Commission  shall  take  the  necessary 
measures  to  ensure  the  monitoring  and 

continuous  evaluation  of  the  programme, 
taking  account  of  the  general  and  specific 
objectives  referred  to  in Article  1 and  in the 
Annex. 

2.  In  the  third  year  of  operation  of  this 
programme,  the  Commission  shall  present 
to  the European  Parliament  and the Council 
an evaluation report. 

3.  The  Commission  shall  submit  to  the 
European  Parliament and the Council  a  final 
report on completion of this programme. 

two 

reports 

information 

4.  The  Commission  shall  incorporate  into 
these 
on 
Community  financing  in  the  various  fields 
of  action  and  on  complementarity  with  the 
other  actions  referred  to  in  Article  4,  as 
well  as  the  results  of  the  evaluations.  The 
reports  shall  also  be  submitted  to  the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  and  the 
Committee of the Regions. 

ANNEX 

SPECIFIC  OBJECTIVES  AND 
ACTIONS 

ACTIONS  ON  IMPROVEMENT  1- 

I. 
ACTIONS  ON  IMPROVEMENT 
OF  INFORMATION  ON  POLLUTION-  OF  INFORMATION  ON  POLLUTION-
RELATED  DISEASES  AND  THEIR 
RELATED  DISEASES 
DEFINITION 

Objective: 

to 

contribute 

towards 
a 
the  role  of 
better  understanding  of 
the  causation  and 
in 
pollutants 
aggravation  of  diseases 
the 
European  Community  and  of  the 
basis and  effectiveness  of  preventive 
actions. 

in 

for 

their 

factors 

specific 

relation 

priorities 

pollutants 

Establishing 
the 
identification  of  those  diseases  in 
which 
are 
thought  to  play  a  role;  comparing 
their  prevalence  and/or 
incidence 
to  data  on 
and 
environmental 
the 
in 
the  European 
different  parts  of 
Community;  examining 
the  data 
quality  and  identifying  where  data 
are  lacking;  analysing  and  reviewing 
data  currently  available  on 
the 
toxicology  of  these  pollutants,  and 
identifying 
in  knowledge^ 
particularly  wjth_  regard  to  1 o ng-
term  effects  and  possible  synergies 
between  pollutants;  comparing  these 
data, 
of 
collection,  definitions  and  criteria 
used,  as  well  as  the  way  in  which 
the  information  is  used  in  analyses, 
in determining  the  actions  taken  and 
in informing  the  public. 

including 

methods 

gaps 

for 

specific 

relation 

priorities 

pollutants 

Establishing 
the 
identification  of  those  diseases  in 
which 
are 
thought  to  play  a  role;  comparing 
their  prevalence  and/or 
incidence 
to 
their 
and 
data  on 
factors 
environmental 
the 
in 
different  parts  of 
the 
European 
Community;  examining 
the  data 
quality  and  identifying  where  data 
are  lacking;  analysing  and  reviewing 
data  currently  available  on 
the 
toxicology  of  these  pollutants,  and 
identifying 
in  knowledge; 
gaps 
including 
these  data, 
comparing 
methods  of  collections,  definitions 
and  criteria  used,  as  well  as  the  way 
in  which  the  information  is  used  in 
analyses,  in  determining  the  actions 
taken  and  in  informing  the  public. 

improve 

to 
of  data  used 

the 
Contributing 
comparability 
in 
preventive  actions  by  the  support  of 
on 
exchanges 
pollution-related  diseases  and  their 
including 
prevention, 
cost-benefit 
analysis  of 
the  effectiveness  of 
actions. 

information 

of 

10 

II. 

RISK  PERCEPTION  AND  RISK 
MANAGEMENT 
WITH 
RESPECT  TO  POLLUTION-
RELATED  DISEASES 

Objective: 

the 
and 

increase 

level  of 
to 
knowledge 
under 
standing  about  pollution-
related  health  risks and  their 
perception,  assessment  and 
management. 

aimed 

actions 

Supporting 

3. 
at 
achieving  better  public  understanding  of 
risks,  their  assessment  and  management; 
promoting  work  on  the  public  perceptions 
of 
health 
pollution-related 
throughout the Community. 

risks 

to 

aimed 

Supporting 
at 
actions 
achieving  better  public  under 
standing  of  risks,  their  assessment 
and management;  promoting  actions 
on 
of 
the  public  perception 
pollution-related  risks to health, and 
they  can  be 
on 
that 
influenced 
and 
lifestyle. 

behaviour 

the  way 

by 

Promoting actions and  exchanges of 
information  on 
the  methods  of 
increasing the level of knowledge of 
the  general  public  and  opinion-
formers  about  the  assessment  of 
pollution-related  risks to health 

Promoting actions and exchanges of 
information  on 
the  methods  of 
increasing the level  of knowledge of 
the  general  public  and 
specific 
groups about  the impact  of  different 
policies on pollution  and  health, and 
the  assessment  of  pollution-related 
risks to health. 

III.  RESPIRATORY 

DISEASES 

AND ALLERGIES 

Objective: 

to support  activities aimed at 
preventing  and  reducing  the 
numbers of these diseases. 

Contributing  to  the  provision  of 
information  to  the  general  public 
and  to  specific  groups,  on  these 
diseases  and  the  agents  that  play  a 
role 
the 
development  of  ways  to  reinforce 
information  campaigns; 
and 

supporting 

them; 

link 

in 

11 

contributing  to  the  efforts  of  self-
help  or  support  groups  active  in the 
field  of  respiratory  diseases  and 
allergies. 

6. 
Contributing  to  the  comparison  of 
various  education  and  training  initiatives 
used  to  combat  these  diseases,  with  a  view 
to  promoting  best  practice;  reviewing  the 
effectiveness  of  the  preventive  measures 
undertaken, including cost/benefit  analyses. 

12 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(98) 231 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

05  15  14  01 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-CO-98-244-EN-C 

ISBN  92-78-32997-5 

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