WRITTEN QUESTION E-3024/00 by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission. Harmonisation of safety standards in the field of decoration and dyeing.
Date: 2000-09-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: chemical product, consumer information, dyestuff, harmonisation of standards, labelling, marketing standard, occupational health, public health, safety standard, toxic substance

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/231

emergency services such as the fire brigade and the ambulance service have lights of the same amber
colour as, for example, the refuse collection service or slow-moving vehicles, with blue being reserved
solely for the police. This state of confusion causes traffic problems for emergency vehicles and even places
the general public at risk.

In October 1995 and May 1996 the Federation of European Fire Officers(cid:146) Associations urged the Spanish
authorities responsible for road traffic to revise its rules concerning the lights used on emergency vehicles,
whilst the Spanish Firemen(cid:146)s Association has made repeated representations to those same authorities,
calling for Spain to bring itself into line with other European countries by equipping priority vehicles with
blue flashing lights instead of amber ones. The Directorate-General for Civil Defence has also agreed that
there is a need for harmonisation with the other countries of the EU.

So far, the Spanish authorities responsible for road traffic have argued that not all the sectors affected wish
to see amber flashing lights replaced by blue ones on priority vehicles. However, this has been denied by
the leaders of the Spanish Firemen(cid:146)s Association and in successive statements made by the above-
mentioned parties involved.

In the absence of specific EU rules governing this issue, does the Commission not think that,
in the
interests of greater public safety, the colours of the emergency lights on priority vehicles should be the
same throughout the EU Member States?

Answer by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2000)

It is true that at present there is no directive for the harmonisation throughout the Community of the
type-approval of special light equipment on certain vehicles.

However, Regulation No 65 of the UN Economic Commission for Europe provides a response to this
concern, laying down technical provisions on the type-approval of special warning equipment such as
flashing and revolving lights.

The Community has not approved this regulation because of the Member States(cid:146) wish to retain the option
of regulating the technical specifications and use of such equipment, especially for law enforcement
vehicles.

Should there be any change in this desire, however, the Community could well plan to adopt the
regulation and harmonise the equipment of emergency vehicles in order to distinguish them from slow-
moving vehicles.

(2001/C 113 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3024/00

by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

(26 September 2000)

Subject: Harmonisation of safety standards in the field of decoration and dyeing

What measures does the Commission propose to take to harmonise safety standards in the field of
decoration and dyeing?

Legislation in this area varies widely throughout Europe and is not always fully respected. The various
solvents and colourings used can also trigger allergies or other medical problems.

Does not the Commission think that health protection standards at European level should be imposed in
this field?

C 113 E/232

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(15 November 2000)

Dyes and paints used in decoration are normally mixtures of chemicals covered by Directive 1999/45/EC
of the Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws,
regulations and administrative provisions of the member States relating to the classification, packaging
and labelling of dangerous preparations (1). Its predecessor Council Directive 88/379/EEC of 7 June 1988 (2)
remained in force in the national legislations of Member States until July 2000. These Directives harmonise
the classification and labelling of preparations throughout the Community and thus provide harmonised
standards regarding warning and safety advice for users of these products.

The Commission is aware of risks to health of certain dyes and is taking steps to reduce such risks in the
framework of Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 (3) which provides for harmonised restrictions
on the marketing and use of dangerous substances and preparations. In that context the Commission
presented in December 1999 a proposal to the Parliament and the Council for an amendment to this
Directive introducing a ban on the use of certain azodyes that pose a risk of cancer (4). Such dyes would be
banned in textile and leather articles that come in close and prolonged contact to the skin. In addition, the
Commission is currently assessing the possible risks of cancer and allergy from other types of dyes.

In addition, the horizontal Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 harmonises the introduction of
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (5). It applies to all
sectors and stipulates as one of the employers(cid:146) obligations the evaluation of the risks to the safety and
health of workers, inter alia in the choice of chemical substances or preparations used (Article 6.3).

(1) OJ L 200, 30.7.1999.
(2) OJ L 187, 16.7.1988.
(3) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.
(4) OJ C 89 E, 28.3.2000.
(5) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.

(2001/C 113 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3035/00

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 September 2000)

Subject: FIFG and fish diseases

Can the Commission confirm whether any applications have been made under the new FIFG regulations
that came in on 1 January 2000 to allow Member States to compensate fishermen for fish diseases? If so,
can the Commission provide details of such applications, which Member States are concerned and the level
of assistance foreseen?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2000)

To date, the Commission has no knowledge of any aid schemes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector
under Structural Fund programmes for 2000-2006 which involve granting compensation for fish diseases.

During implementation of programmes, the Commission makes sure that they comply with the eligibility
criteria laid down in Community legislation and the selection criteria set out in each programme. However,
the selection of individual projects as such falls within the responsibility of the management authority
designated by each Member State. The Commission receives information about the details of projects in
the course of being implemented only through the annual reports, the first of which will not have to be
produced until 2001.