WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2802/98 by Christof TANNERT to the Commission. Code of Conduct for European companies operating in third countries
Date: 1998-09-17
Institutions: European Parliament, TANNERT
Subjects: European undertaking, OECD, agency abroad, civil law, code of conduct, economic rights, environmental law, human rights, social legislation, third country

15.10.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 297/31

Of the 183 Italian projects put forward 49 relate to industrial activities, 117 to action concerning local
communities and one to preparatory activities. Sixteen projects were not put on file since they were considered
to be ineligible under the rules.

(1999/C 297/042)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2802/98

by Christof Tannert (PSE) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Code of Conduct for European companies operating in third countries

In paragraph 20 of its resolution (A4-400/96) (1) of 12 December 1996 on human rights throughout the
world in 1995-1996 and the Union’s human rights policy, Parliament ‘calls on the Commission and the
Council rapidly to submit a proposal on a Code of Conduct for European companies operating in third
their forms (civil, social, economical,
countries which obliges them to respect human rights in all
environmental), including mechanisms of control and sanction on the grounds of the existing OECD proposal’.

What steps has the Commission taken in this respect and when will it submit a proposal for such a Code of
Conduct for European companies operating in third countries?

(1) OJ C 20, 20.1.1997, p. 161.

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 1998)

The Commission gave its views on the Code of Conduct for European companies operating in non-
Community countries when the report on human rights throughout the world in 1995-96 referred to by
the Honourable Member was adopted on 12 December 1996.

The Commission takes a constructive approach on human rights by helping raise public awareness,
supporting private initiatives and closely following initiatives by individual companies or sectoral groups to
introduce voluntary codes. Having carried out an exploratory study to see how it can promote codes of
conduct for Community companies operating in developing countries, particularly in the social sector, it is
now analysing the terms of codes already in existence to see how they are being applied and to establish their
scope and impact.

The Commission is working with social partners under the European social dialogue to promote discussion
and dialogue on initiatives which include codes of conduct and social labelling. It plans to launch a debate
within civil society, i.e. social partners and NGOs, to find common ground in the initiatives which have already
been taken and will undoubtedly increase in Europe.

(1999/C 297/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2812/98

by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: Evaluation of the packaging directive (94/62/EC)

Three years after the entry into force of the packaging directive 94/62/EC (1), would the Commission please
indicate:

= how overall demand for packaging has evolved in the period 1990-1997?

= how overall packaging recycling (material recycling) has evolved in the period 1990-1997?