WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/01 by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission. Regulatory impact assessments.
Date: 2001-02-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: dangerous substance, drafting of EU law, electronic waste, environmental impact, impact study, proposal (EU), waste disposal

C 235 E/196

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

(2001/C 235 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0389/01

by Nicholas Clegg (ELDR) to the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Subject: Regulatory impact assessments

What regulatory impact assessment studies were carried out by the European Commission prior to the
presentation of the Physical Agents Directive and the Electronic Waste Directive? Could the Commission
make these impact assessments available? If they do exist, why were impact assessments not carried out?

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

(26 March 2001)

The proposals for Directives on electric and electronic waste (WEEE) and on restriction on hazardous
substances in electric and electronic waste (RoHS), have been adopted on 13 June 2000 (1). An
accompanying 55-page explanatory memorandum has been made available to the public (2).

This explanatory memorandum contains a detailed assessment of the justification of the proposals and
reference to all the studies on which these proposals are based. Information is also contained as regards the
environmental problems addressed, the internal market and international aspects, subsidiarity and propor-
tionality aspects, economic assessment (benefits and costs) and consultation aspects as well as data and the
scientific basis. The Annex to the explanatory memorandum contains, inter alia, a specific assessment of
the impact of the proposals on business, with special reference to small and medium-sized enterprises, and
also a memorandum on scientific evaluation.

(1) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000.
(2) COM(2000) 347 final.

(2001/C 235 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0396/01

by Myrsini Zorba (PSE) to the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Subject: Abolition of the European Prize for Literature

The European Prize for Literature was abolished at the end of 2000 with no prior provision for its
replacement.

We believe that during the five years of its existence (cid:129) 1995-2000 (cid:129) the prize made a significant
contribution to mutual understanding between European nations. It gave new literary voices a chance to
be heard and achieve recognition throughout the Union, voices which, under different circumstances,
would have remained trapped within their linguistic confines, particularly given the dominance of the
major languages on the literary market.

When and in what manner does the Commission intend to replace the European Prize for Literature,
which has made a substantial contribution to promoting cultural convergence between European nations,
an essential condition for political integration within the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2001)

European prizes for literature and translation, known as the Aristeion Prizes, were introduced in 1993 on
the initiative of the Ministers responsible for Cultural Affairs (1). Decision 2085/97/EC establishing the
(cid:145)Ariane(cid:146) programme in support of books and reading, adopted on 6 October 1997 (2), noted the existence
of these prizes and provided for their financing.