WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/00 by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Fire safety code for television sets.
Date: 2000-03-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, competence of the Member States, fire protection, television equipment

28.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 374 E/147

Waste water from large industrial installations is addressed by the 1996 integrated pollution prevention
and control directive (Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 (2)). For existing installations
there is a transition period until 2007 for compliance with the directive.

Discharge of certain dangerous substances is covered by the 1976 dangerous substances directive (Council
Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative
provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous
substances and preparations (3)) and its daughter directives on substances such as mercury, cadmium and
others.

Waste water sources of relevance not yet covered by the above legislation will be addressed by the
forthcoming water framework directive (Parliament second reading February 2000; conciliation and final
adoption foreseen spring or summer 2000). Its main objectives will be expanding water protection to all
waters, achieving or maintaining (cid:145)good status(cid:146) within a set deadline, water management based on river
basins, a combined approach of emission criteria and water quality criteria and involving the citizens more
closely in planning and decision taking procedures.

The Commission in 1999 started an assessment of the measures taken by Member States to comply with
the first stage of implementation of the urban waste water treatment directive (deadline 31 December
1998), as well as an assessment of the designation of sensitive areas. The results will be known later this
year, and the Commission will take all necessary steps to enforce the legislation in cases of non-
compliance. As regards known cases of non-compliance (Brussels, Milan), the Commission has already in
1999 started infringement proceedings.

The deadlines for the urban waste water treatment plants to be operational are 31 December 1998,
31 December 2000 and 31 December 2005, depending on the size of the agglomeration and the
installations is 2007. The
characteristics of the affected water. The deadline for the large industrial
deadlines for those sources of pollution only addressed by the water framework directive ((cid:145)priority
substances(cid:146)) will be decided by the Parliament and the Council ((cid:145)priority substances(cid:146)) when this directive
is finally adopted.

The Community is also providing significant
for the construction of wastewater
treatment plants in the less well off parts of the Community through, for example, the Cohesion fund
(over € 3 800 million between 1993-1999). Furthermore,
in the context of pre-accession financial
assistance, wastewater treatment infrastructure will be a priority of the instrument for structural policies
for pre-accession (Council Regulation (EC) No 1267/1999 of 21 June 1999 (4)).

financial support

(1) OJ L 135, 30.5.1991.
(2) OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.
(3) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
(4) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2000/C 374 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0748/00

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 March 2000)

Subject: Fire safety code for television sets

Evidence suggests that there are television sets on the EU market which are more likely to ignite in the
event of a fire, thus severely shortening people(cid:146)s escape time. This has serious implications for every
household with a television in Europe, and particularly in hospitals where fire codes do not allow for
immediate evacuation of patients.

Does the Commission have any statistics concerning the incidence of fires in the EU, either from or
involving television sets?

C 374 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

28.12.2000

If statistics on the fire safety of televisions are not currently available, will the Commission undertake to
ensure that the involvement of televisions is recorded by the fire services when they attend fire incidents?

Will the Commission undertake to keep a record of the specific models of television sets that are involved
in fires, so that we have a better understanding as to which types of televisions may pose a fire hazard in
European homes?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 April 2000)

The Commission attaches a high priority to issues regarding fire safety.

To-date, the Commission has not received statistics concerning the incidence of fire involving television
sets.

The safety of television sets is regulated by Directive 73/23/EEC relating to electrical equipment designed
for use within certain voltage limits (the Low Voltage Directive) (1). In response to the question from the
Honourable Member, the Commission will discuss the subject of fire safety involving television sets with
national authorities in charge of the enforcement of the above Directive at the Low Voltage Directive
administrative co-operation meeting scheduled for 26-27 April 2000.

The meeting will also allow an exchange of information between Member States regarding incidents of fire
relating to television sets.

It should be noted that it is the task of Member States to set up and implement policies on fire protection
which may also include collecting incident statistics.

If it appears that a product covered by the Low Voltage Directive presents a potential fire hazard the
Commission will co-ordinate the necessary actions on the part of national authorities regarding the
application of the Low Voltage Directive.

For further information on this matter, the Honourable Member is invited to refer to the Commission(cid:146)s
reply to Written Question P-0828/00 from Mr Davies (2).

(1) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.
(2) OJ C 330 E, 21.11.2000, p. 216.

(2000/C 374 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0750/00

by John McCartin (PPE-DE) to the Council

(15 March 2000)

Subject: Dutch legislation on termination of pregnancy

Is the Council aware of the proposed changes in Dutch legislation allowing abortion in pregnancies over
24 weeks on the grounds that the babies have a disability and does the Council consider that such a law
would be contrary to Article 6 of the Treaties?

Reply

(18 May 2000)

National legislation relating to termination of pregnancy does not fall within the scope of Article 6 of the
Treaty on European Union which applies only to actions carried out, or to legal instruments and other
legal acts adopted, either by the Union or by the European Communities.