WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1950/98 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. White asbestos
Date: 1998-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: asbestos, building industry, health control, marketing restriction, occupational health, public awareness campaign, vocational training

18.1.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 13/123

(1999/C 13/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1950/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: White asbestos

Does the Commission intend to bring forward a proposal for an immediate ban on white absestos in the EU?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 1998)

There already exists a significant body of Community legislation to protect the health of workers and the public
from the health effects of asbestos. All types of asbestos fibres, except white (or chrysotile) asbestos, are already
banned by Community legislation. In addition, there is a ban on fourteen categories of products containing
chrysotile, and there are strict Community controls on exposure of workers to asbestos and on the release of
asbestos fibres to the environment.

Even though much has already been accomplished, more needs to be done to tighten up Community legislation
on the marketing and use of asbestos-containing products. There are now nine Member States which have
introduced national bans on chrysotile going beyond the current Community legislation. This represents a
significant disruption to the internal market and requires a solution at Community level.

The Commission is therefore preparing a draft proposal for a European wide ban on the marketing and use of
chrysotile asbestos and asbestos-containing products (with some exceptions and temporary derogations), which
will be discussed with Member State experts in the near future. The details of the final draft will of course depend
on those discussions, and on contacts with the Parliament, interest groups and on the outcome of continuing
scientific considerations.

However, it is important to mention that a new ban would not lead to a lower risk of exposure to existing asbestos
for workers, nor would it reduce the number of deaths from past exposure to asbestos. Possible contamination
from asbestos in existing buildings (e.g. in relation to maintenance activities and asbestos removal operations)
will remain an important cause of exposure to workers for many years. For this reason, the Commission also
intends to strengthen existing controls on the exposure of workers to asbestos, and to encourage better
information and training of workers who might come into contact with asbestos in the course of their work.

(1999/C 13/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1951/98

by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 1998)

Subject: Energy saving in existing buildings

What examination has been undertaken of the figures contained in the report presented to the Commission by
EuroACE on 27 April and 12 May entitled (cid:145)Assessment of the potential for the saving of carbon dioxide
emissions in the European building stock(cid:146) prepared by CALEB Management Consultants? Does the Commission
accept its premise that almost 450 million tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved per annum in this sector? If so,
what steps are being taken to ensure early implementation of policies designed to achieve this desirable
objective?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(29 July 1998)

The May 1998 report on potential savings of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the European building stock has
been carefully studied.