WRITTEN QUESTION No. 590/99 by Nuala AHERN Council Directive 96/29/Euratom in respect of the environmental implications of the deregulation of controls over radioactivity
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: AHERN, European Parliament
Subjects: deregulation, environmental impact, health risk, ionising radiation, occupational health, pollution control, public health, radiation protection, radioactive pollution, safety standard

21.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 370/65

years? What concerns were expressed by the NGOs and what action was taken by the Standing Working
Group or the Commission in response to these concerns?

(1) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 55.

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 1999)

As far as details of the workings of the Standard Working Group of Experts on the Safe Transport of
Radioactive Materials is concerned, the Honourable Member of Parliament is invited to refer to the answer
given by the Commission in response to Written Question P-3454/98 by Ms Bloch von Blottnitz (1).

Consequently, even if the group is regularly called upon to examine considerations put forward by certain
non-governmental organisations in the course of its duties, the subjects treated, as well as the views
expressed, are confidential.

(1) OJ C 320, 6.11.1999.

(1999/C 370/089)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0590/99

by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Council Directive 96/29/Euratom in respect of the environmental implications of the deregulation

of controls over radioactivity

What representations has the Commission received on the Council Directive 96/29/Euratom (1) in respect
of the environmental implications of the deregulation of controls over radioactivity? What information
does it have concerning steps taken by EU Member States in transposing the Basic Standards Directive into
national law?

(1) OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 1999)

Council Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the health protection of the
general public and workers against the dangers of ionising radiation contains the main features of the
proposal made by the Commission, based on the opinion of the group of scientific experts referred to in
Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty.

Directive 96/29/Euratom replaces Directive 80/836/Euratom (1) as amended by Directive 84/467/Eura-
tom (2) and the Commission believes that it offers better protection to workers and members of the public,
based on updated scientific advice,
international
organisations. This new directive cannot be considered as deregulating this area. On the contrary, several
additional requirements have been introduced whose scope has been extended to cover exposure to natural
radiation.

in line with the recommendation of

the relevant

the care that

the Commission put

In spite of
into preparing the proposed directive and into the
negotiations with the institutions that led to its adoption, the Directive, like any other piece of legislation,
is subject to criticism by individuals or interest groups. An overview of the criticisms was presented at the
workshop entitled ‘Survey and evaluation of criticism of basic safety standards for the protection of
workers and the public against ionising radiation’ organised by the Parliament in Brussels on 5 February
1998, and is contained in the document of the same name published by Parliament.

Finally, only the Netherlands have already incorporated major parts of Directive 96/29/Euratom into their
laws. That Directive is to be transposed by 13 May 2000. Denmark has transposed some
national
individual provisions of the Directive.

(1) OJ L 246, 17.9.1980.
(2) OJ L 265, 5.10.1984.