WRITTEN QUESTION E-4145/00 by Michel Hansenne (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Safety of lifts.
Date: 2001-01-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, approximation of laws, lift, product safety

C 174 E/238

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

19.6.2001

This prompts me to ask the Commission:

1. Are there grounds for supposing that the accident could have been avoided had the provisions of
European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/9/EC of 20 March 2000 relating to cableway
installations designed to carry persons already been in force at the time when the Kaprun funicular
railway was built?

2.

If not, does it intend to tighten up the existing directive in the foreseeable future?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2001)

1.
Directive 2000/9/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 March 2000 relating to cableway
installations designed to carry persons (1) aims to ensure the safety of cableway installations by defining the
essential health and safety requirements which must be observed by all new installations,
including
funicular railways, cable cars and drag lifts designed to carry persons. It was adopted on 20 March 2000.
It will however only fully apply at the end of a 4-year transitional period (from the date of publication) on
3 May 2004. In the meantime these installations are primarily covered by national regulations.

Pending the findings of the investigations into the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier tragedy no assumptions can be
made in relation to whether the tragedy could have been avoided had the Directive been in application.

2.
Directive 2000/9/EC requires the lessons from past experience to be taken into account in the safety
analysis accompanying all planned installations and safeguard measures to be taken if any approved
installations or components are liable to endanger health or safety.

If the findings of the Kitzsteinhorn accident
investigation demonstrate the need to amend relevant
Community legislation, including Directive 2000/9/EC, the necessary proposals will be brought forward
as soon as possible.

(1) OJ L 106, 3.5.2000.

(2001/C 174 E/256)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4145/00

by Michel Hansenne (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 January 2001)

Subject: Safety of lifts

In 1995 the Commission adopted a recommendation on improving the safety of existing lifts (95/216/
EC) (1). The European Parliament had taken the view that the safety of such lifts was a precondition for the
adoption of Directive 95/216/EC which laid down the safety principles applying to new lifts installed in
the Member States. In December 1998 Parliament also held a public hearing in order to inquire about
action taken by the Member States to improve the safety of the three million existing lifts in Europe. The
findings proved very disappointing. Accidents continue to occur, and are sometimes fatal.

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure that Member States make the safety of old lifts
not covered by the new directive one of their priorities?

(1) OJ L 213, 7.9.1995, p. 1.

19.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174 E/239

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2001)

The Commission attaches a high priority to the ongoing improvement of lift safety.

The Commission considers that the Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/EC of 29 June 1995, on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts (1) has made a significant contribution
towards raising the general level of safety of new lifts within the Community.

In addition, the Commission has adopted Recommendation 95/216/EC of 8 June 1995, concerning the
improvement of safety for existing lifts (2). It recommends that Member States take all necessary action to
improve the safety of existing lifts, based on the principles given in Annex I to the Recommendation.

It should also be noted that the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) is currently drafting a
standard on the (cid:145)Rules for the improvement of safety of existing lifts(cid:146), which is likely to be an important
tool for Member States in their efforts to take action according to the Commission Recommendation.

Additionally, the public hearing organised by the Parliament in December 1998 helped raise awareness on
this issue within the Community.

The Commission has, on several occasions, discussed this Recommendation with Member States and
examined its implementation in the different national territories.

Some Member States have adopted substantial measures implementing the Recommendation, while others
have proceeded more slowly. It appears to be the case that most Member States have partly implemented
the Recommendation, and that several of them are currently in the process of taking further measures. An
argument from Member States against full implementation is that (cid:145)lifts are fairly safe and that it could place
unnecessary burdens on lift users without any corresponding safety improvements(cid:146).

The lifts industry federations the European Elevator Association (EEA) and the European Forum of National
Lift Associations (EFLA) are closely following the national implementations and are providing an annual
overview of the situation. The latest information confirms that several Member States are acting in the
area.

The Commission will continue to follow the safety of existing lifts in collaboration with national
authorities, industry and users.

(1) OJ L 213, 7.9.1995.
(2) OJ L 134, 20.6.1995.

(2001/C 174 E/257)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4147/00

by Gorka Kn(cid:246)rr Borr(cid:224)s (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 January 2001)

Subject: Aid for single-parent families

What sum from the Structural Funds did the Spanish Government earmark for aid for single-parent
families in 2000?

What amount was actually paid out? In the event of any deviation between aid approved and aid paid out,
what were the reasons for that deviation?