WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission. Emergency phone number in the EU.
Date: 2000-04-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, first aid, telephone

C 46 E/150

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.2.2001

Reply

(10 July 2000)

In accordance with the provisions of Article 203 of the EC Treaty, the Council shall consist of a
representative of each Member State at ministerial level authorised to commit the government of that
Member State.

Accordingly, it is for each Member State to determine how and by whom it is represented in Fisheries
Council meetings.

(2001/C 46 E/173)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00

by Rosemarie M(cid:252)ller (PSE) to the Commission

(10 April 2000)

Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU

From one Member State to another in the European Union there are differing telephone numbers which
may be called in an emergency. This actually means that few people know the relevant emergency number
when staying in other Member States. The example of the USA shows how a single emergency number
can simplify the calling of assistance.

With this in mind:

1. How does the Commission view the fact that there are differing emergency numbers in the countries

of the European Union?

2. Does the Commission agree that a single EU-wide emergency number would help improve the

effectiveness of assistance in emergencies?

3. Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a single EU-wide emergency number?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 May 2000)

Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991, on the introduction of a single European emergency call
number (1) requires the Member States to ensure that the number (cid:145)112(cid:146) is introduced in public telephone
networks, ISDN networks and public mobile services. However it does not mandate its exclusive use but
allows existing emergency call numbers to continue in parallel. In addition, the Voice Telephony Directive
98/10/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 1998 on the application of open network
provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive
environment (2) guarantees that users of fixed and mobile phones, including public payphones, can access
the 112 emergency service free of charge.

Although the Decision specified an introduction date of 31 December 1992, it allowed for derogations
until 31 December 1996 in case of technical, financial, geographical or organisational difficulties. In the
meantime, (cid:145)112(cid:146) is available free of charge from fixed and mobile phones and from public payphones in all
Member States except Greece against which infringement proceedings have been opened.

Several Member States have adopted (cid:145)112(cid:146) as the unique national emergency number and several major
information campaigns have been funded with a view to develop its use both nationally and when
travelling in the Community. Moreover, although not required by the Decision, in several Member States,
calls are answered in several languages when necessary. Details can be found in a report dated January
1999 published by the Commission, available on the Internet at:

http://www.ispo.cec.be/infosoc/telecompolicy/en/comm-en.htm.

13.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 46 E/151

In the light of further European integration with the increased travel for leisure or in conjunction with
cross-border economic activity, the issue is important from a general societal point of view and manifests a
good example of a Community measure that directly benefits the citizens of Europe. The Commission
shares the view that the common emergency number helps improve the effectiveness of providing
emergency assistance in the Community.

the Commission has proposed in the 1999 review
To strengthen further the current
communication (3)
location data of callers in distress are passed on to the emergency service
authorities, in both fixed and mobile networks. This will be one important aspect of the forthcoming
review of the Community(cid:146)s telecommunications policy.

framework,

that

The common emergency number is an assurance for all 380 million Community citizens and for travellers
from abroad that they can call for assistance whenever they are in an emergency or life-threatening
situation. The guaranteed availability throughout the Community on fixed and mobile networks, the ability
to make emergency calls free of charge and the ability to provide location data of users in an emergency
are key issues.

(1) OJ L 217, 6.8.1991.
(2) OJ L 101, 1.4.1998.
(3) COM(1999) 539 final.

(2001/C 46 E/174)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1238/00

by Karin Scheele (PSE) to the Commission

(14 April 2000)

Subject: Legal classification of tattooing dyes

The number of Europeans having themselves tattooed has been growing year by year. Tattooing involves
among other things the use of azocolourants. In the Commission proposal amending for the nineteenth
time Council Directive 76/769/EEC (1) relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (azocolourants) that applies to textiles and leather goods, the
Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment voices its concern that, on breakdown,
azocolourants form amines that are classified as carcinogenic. In view of this possible health hazard, a legal
basis is also required for azocolourants used in tattooing.

Have studies dealing with the health risks of tattooing dyes already been carried out or are there

1.
plans to do so?

2.

Can the Commission name legal bases that include tattooing dyes in their field of application?

If not, is it making preparations to provide at a future date a legal classification for tattooing dyes?

3.
Will azocolourants be covered at the same time?

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 201.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(13 June 2000)

1.
The Commission is not aware of toxicological or epidemiological studies to specifically assess the
health safety risks from the use of certain dyes in tattooing. Adverse effects of tattoos are well known.
However the evidence is stronger for those effects arising from the tattooing procedures themselves (e.g.
transmission of infectious diseases from non-sterile equipment, scarring) and less convincing for possible
adverse effects arising from the tattooing dyes.