WRITTEN QUESTION E-0192/00 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Cellular phones and health risks.
Date: 2000-01-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, health risk, mobile phone, non-ionising radiation

3.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 280 E/197

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2000)

The Commission(cid:146)s annual report on the application of Community law lists all the proceedings initiated by
it against Member States under Article 226 (formerly 169) of the EC Treaty, either in reponse to a
complaint or on its own initiative, for failure to comply with Community law. As at 31 December 1998,
there were 241 infringement proceedings under way against Greece. As at 31 December 1999, the
number had risen to 259.

For further information on the nature of the infringements detected in the case of Greece in 1999, the
Honourable Member is referred to the 17th annual report, which is currently being drawn up and will be
sent to Parliament during the coming weeks.

(2000/C 280 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0185/00

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Failure of Greece to comply with Community Directive 92/43

(31 January 2000)

Under Judgment C-329/96 Greece has been found guilty of failing to transpose in good time Directive
92/43 (1) on the conservation of the natural habitats of wild fauna and flora. Will the Commission say
whether, following this ruling against Greece, the latter has complied with the Directive in question and, if
not, what measures it intends to take to ensure that Greek legislation is brought in line with Community
legislation?

(1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7.

Answer given gy Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(22 February 2000)

Acting on the judgment of the Court of Justice of 26 June 1997 (1), the Greek authorities notified the
Commission in January 1999 of
Joint Ministerial Decision No 33318/3028 of 11 December 1998
transposing into Greek Law Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural
habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

(1) Case C-329/96.

(2000/C 280 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0192/00

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Cellular phones and health risks

Over the past few months an increasingly large number of studies have produced extremely alarming
findings regarding the health risks caused by radiation emissions from cellular phones. Most recently,
research carried out by Swedish scientists found that even some cancerous growths and disorders in the
reproductive organs can often be attributed to the regular use of cellular phones and to the electro-
magnetic waves which they emit.

Mobile telephony has only recently come into widespread use and even today this market cannot be
considered to be fully developed, given that further quantitative and qualitative advances are still to be
expected such as UMTS technology, which in the near future is likely to combine mobile phone services
with the vast range of services available on the Internet network.

C 280 E/198

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.10.2000

Therefore, before this situation develops any further, and to avoid a repeat of the tragic events linked to
the industrial and civil use of asbestos, would the Commission state its views on this matter and provide
details of the political initiatives it intends to take or has already taken with a view to protecting public
health in the Community?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 March 2000)

The Commission, in its proposal for a Recommendation on the limitation of exposure of the general
public to electromagnetic fields (0 HZ to 300 GHz), adopted by the Council on 12 July 1999, wants to
contribute as much as possible to ensuring a high level of protection for European citizens in a sensitive
area which has not previously been subject
to Community law. The Commission is preparing a
standardisation mandate in order to take into account basic restrictions and reference levels of the Council
Recommendation in relevant standards for mobile phones.

The Commission is following up this dossier very closely and is currently funding numerous research
projects. During the third and fourth framework programmes the Commission financed and coordinated
COST actions (COST 244 in 1992, followed by COST 244a in 1998) on the biomedical effects of
electromagnetic radiation. The Biomed 2 Programme financed two studies on the links between electro-
magnetic radiation and cancer. The (cid:145)Measures and Tests(cid:146) Programme also funded a project on the
measurement of electromagnetic radiation from portable telephones.

None of these studies (concerning thermal effects and possible interferences with cell metabolism caused
by different types of electromagnetic fields) revealed any adverse health effects, but additional results are
necessary to respond fully to public concern.

In the context of the Fifth Research and Technological Development Framework Programme (1998-2002),
electromagnetic radiation has been specifically included in the work programme of Key Action 4
(environment and health) under Theme 1, quality of life and management of resources for living beings.
The projects include a wide-scale epidemiological study (Interphone), coordinated by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which should cast light on the question as to whether electro-
magnetic radiation from mobile telephones can cause cancer.

At any rate the Commission is monitoring this dossier very closely and will not hesitate to make a
legislative proposal
if its ongoing research programmes reveal new health risks linked to long-term
exposure to low levels of electromagnetic radiation.

(2000/C 280 E/232)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0201/00

by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2000)

Subject: Commercial breaks in television schedules in Spain

Written Question P-3862/98 (1) criticised the failure on the part of most Spanish television channels to
comply with Council Directive 89/552/EEC (2) of 3 October 1989 (the (cid:145)Television without frontiers(cid:146)
Directive).
In particular it complained about the steady increase in the amount of time allotted to
advertisements and the frequency of commercial breaks during programmes, including broadcasts with
dramatical content such as films, plays and operas.

In its answer of 4 February 1999, the Commission stated that it was aware of these allegations and was
gathering information to establish whether they could be substantiated.