WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642/00 by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Transport.
Date: 2000-08-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: air transport, carriage of passengers, consumer protection, indemnification, transport company

C 136 E/64

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.5.2001

With respect to studies on gender impact, the Commission has published a call for tender for a small scale
study on women and enlargement which will supplement studies from the United Nations international
children(cid:146)s emergency fund (Unicef). In the context of the new framework strategy (2001-2005) for the
promotion of equality it is foreseen that more in depth studies on women in the accession countries will
be launched in 2001.

The Commission reaffirms its commitment to gender mainstreaming in all areas and will continue to
closely monitor the issue of gender in the particular context of the enlargement.

(2001/C 136 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2642/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de CuØ (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: Transport

The Commission is to improve the rights of passengers from the European Union vis-(cid:224)-vis airlines as from
1 January 2001.

Among other measures, the plans relate to refunds where flights are delayed, accommodation expenses,
announcements and the provision of food and drink in the event of serious delays.

Can the Commission say what measures are to be taken against companies which fail to comply with
these rules?

Will European consumers enjoy the same rights in the case of non-Community airlines and journeys to
third countries where they have purchased their ticket on Union territory?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2000)

The Commission attaches great importance to reinforcing the protection of air passengers so that they
benefit to the full from Community policy on air transport. This can best be done primarily through a
combination of Community legislation to extend passengers(cid:146) rights and of voluntary commitments by
airlines and airports to raise their quality of service.

In its communication (cid:145)Protection of air pasengers in the European Union(cid:146) (1) the Commission stated its
intention to propose in 2001 legislation that would enable delayed passengers to continue their journeys
under good conditions, by giving them the right to a choice between refund of the relevant part of the
ticket or an alternative flight to the destination at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, it will consider how
best to ensure proper assistance for delayed passengers, mainly in the form of meals, lodging for the night
and communications, which can be achieved through legislation or through voluntary commitments by
airlines.

To ensure the full protection of passengers, the legislation would apply to contracts for flights to, from and
within the Community, irrespective of the state where the carrier was established or of the nationality of
the passenger. Thus, its scope would be analogous to that of the regulation on compensation for denied
boarding (Regulation (EEC)295/91 of 4 February 1991 establishing common rules for a denied-boarding
compensation system in scheduled air transport (2)).

Paragraphs 51 to 53 of the above mentioned communication sets out the Commission(cid:146)s views on the
envisaged procedures for complaints by passengers. In respect of the enforcement of existing and future

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/65

Community law, it is responsibility of Member States to ensure that air carriers comply with the relevant
Community legislation. In the event that Member States fail to fulfil their obligations the Commission may
initiate infringement procedures under Article 226 (ex-Article 169) of the EC Treaty.

(1) COM(2000) 365 final.
(2) OJ L 36, 8.2.1991.

(2001/C 136 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2647/00

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 August 2000)

Subject: List of dangerous chemicals

1.
Can the European Commission give a detailed overview (number, name, reasons for use) of the
dangerous chemicals which can legally be traded on the European market, which are not 50 % biodegrad-
able within six months and which can bio-accumulate up to a factor of 5 000 (measured as a bio-
concentration factor in fish)? This bio-accumulation formula has been proposed by the Swedish authorities
(see http://www.chemicals.sustainable-sweden.gov.se).

2.
Can the European Commission give a detailed overview (number, name and reasons for use) of a
sub-group of dangerous chemicals, i.e. those which are not 50 % biodegradable within eightweeks and
which can bio-accumulate up to a factor of 2 000 (measured as a bio-concentration factor in fish)?

3.
Should it not be possible to provide a full overview of all dangerous chemicals, can the European
Commission instead give an overview of the dangerous chemicals traded on the European market in
volumes of more than 1 000 tons per year?

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

(31 October 2000)

The Commission has data available on the 2700 (cid:145)new(cid:146) chemicals placed on the market since 1981. A rapid
screening gave the results presented below (for confidentiality reasons no detailed list of substance names
can be given).

Among the (cid:145)new(cid:146) dangerous chemicals, 6 % are biodegradable to less than 50 % within six months and at
the same time have a bio-accumulation factor (calculated from physico-chemical properties) of over 5 000.
They have a wide range of uses, in particular as colouring and photographical agents, as stabilisers as well
as intermediates in chemical reactions. They are applied in the polymer photographical and chemical
industries.

Among the (cid:145)new(cid:146) dangerous chemicals, 10 % are biodegradable to less than 50 % within two months and at
the same time have a bio-accumulation factor (calculated from physico-chemical properties) of over 2 000.
Their main uses are the same as the chemicals mentioned above.

For (cid:145)existing(cid:146) chemicals, which constitute over 95 % of the volume of chemicals on the market, the
Commission has data available for substance volumes of 1 000 tonnes or more per year and manufacturer
or importer. A detailed study concerning biodegradability and bio-accumulation is currently ongoing and
will be completed in early 2001.