WRITTEN QUESTION No. 419/99 by Markus FERBER Air pollution in the buildings of the European Patent Office
Date: 1999-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, FERBER
Subjects: European Patent Office, air conditioning, air quality, occupational health, toxic substance, workplace

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/67

However, after a preliminary analysis, the Commission cannot agree that the Decree-Law is in breach of
1.
Community competition rules, in so far as it aims to provide opportunities for access by third parties by
ensuring that rights are not concentrated exclusively in the hands of a single operator. If one operator were to
acquire all the rights, contracts could not extend beyond a limited period.

At first sight, the Commission considers that the sharing of sporting rights among several operators, as
2.
should result from the Italian Decree-Law, should contribute to the balanced development of the Italian pay-
TV market.

The Commission will monitor the developments on the market closely in order to ensure that the
3.
sharing of sporting rights, as provided for in the Decree-Law, does not have the effect of driving away investors
and thereby hindering the development of the pay-TV market in Italy, as the Honourable Member fears.

(1999/C 348/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0419/99

by Markus Ferber (PPE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Air pollution in the buildings of the European Patent Office

For several years employees of the European Patent Office have been complaining of health hazards resulting
from the air conditioning and air-borne toxic substances in their offices. After several staff members had made
complaints of this kind the Patent Office commissioned a number of surveys, most of the results of which have
not, however, been made public.

1. What will the Commission do to oblige the European Patent Office to make the results of the studies
carried out into air pollution available to the authorities and the individuals concerned?

Can the Commission require the Patent Office to state whether the air conditioning in its offices was

2.
cleaned with chemicals (and if so, which) in the past?

3. What will the Commission do to ensure that the Patent Office carries out a standardised survey of all
users of its premises in order to throw light on the ‘sick building syndrome’ allegedly affecting them?

4. Will the Commission take the necessary measures to ensure that procedures before the invalidity boards
are legally regulated?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 1999)

International health and safety law applies to agencies as to all other institutions.

The Commission, however, has no authority over the agencies since, in this respect, they are independent
organisations. It cannot, therefore, answer the Honourable Member’s question.

(1999/C 348/084)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0420/99

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: Arrangements envisaged by the Commission for the project shared amongst European cities of culture

in 2000

In recognition of the symbolic significance of the year 2000, the EU has decided to undertake a project which
for the first time will be shared amongst nine European cities of culture: Avignon, Cracow, Reykjavik, Santiago