WRITTEN QUESTION E-1091/01 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Accidents caused by dangerous tyres/low tyre pressure.
Date: 2001-04-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: defective product, pneumatic tyre, product safety, standardisation, transport accident, transport safety

13.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 318 E/201

Could the Commission explain the logic of dismissing staff in a sector which is liable to suffer from staff
shortages?

Is it, furthermore,
influx of third-county nationals in view of the
acknowledged restrictions imposed in terms of visas, mobility and Community rules on work and
residence?

logical to anticipate a hypothetical

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(11 May 2001)

One of the recommendations to emerge from the report by the high-level panel chaired by Viscount
Davignon was to concentrate the activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on its strongest areas of
competence. Furthermore, in the process of reviewing its priorities, a project launched at the start of 2000,
at its meeting of 26 July 2000 the Commission adopted the recommendations of the Steering Group set
up to examine the matter.

In this context, the Commission has requested that the Commissioner for Research should instruct the
Joint Research Centre (JRC) to carry out a feasibility study into closing the Petten site or eliminating 200
jobs by scaling down JRC activities across the board.

The feasibility study into the closure of the Petten site has been completed and its conclusions have been
submitted to the Commission in the form of a communication which was adopted on 22 January 2001 (1).

The conclusions of the feasibility study include recommendations to transfer the activities relating to
research into reducing vehicle emissions from Petten to Ispra, and to transfer the Nuclear Safety unit from
Ispra to Petten. This arises from a commitment to achieve consistency between the portfolios of activities
of the various JRC sites.

Since this departmental redeployment measure was an internal matter, the Commission did not consult the
other institutions on transferring personnel.

On the basis of the conclusions of the Steering Group the Commission will propose amending research
staff tables as of 2002 to the budgetary authority.

A detailed audit of the other JRC activities has been carried out. The proposed concentration of activities is
intended to ensure the long-term future of the JRC, within the scope of its mission to provide scientific
and technical support for EU policies.

(1) C(2001)125, 22.1.2001.

(2001/C 318 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1091/01

by Paul R(cid:252)big (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 April 2001)

Subject: Accidents caused by dangerous tyres/low tyre pressure

In view of a large cluster of serious accidents in the USA as a result of low tyre pressure and consequent
fatal tyre damage, the US Congress has decided to take legislative measures as early as Autumn 2001.
According to a study by ETRTO (the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation), 70 % of the tyres
fitted on European cars are in poor condition as a result of insufficient pressure.

1. What measures does the Commission propose to take to ensure by means of technical standards that
the thousand or so road deaths which occur each year on European roads because of technical failures
(accidents caused by dangerous tyres or low tyre pressure) are avoided?

C 318 E/202

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

13.11.2001

Is the Commission planning to open negotiations with the US Government at the UN-ECE in

2.
Geneva with a view to reaching an overall solution to this problem?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 June 2001)

The Commission is fully aware that low tyre pressure is a major cause of serious accidents. It shares the
view expressed by the Honourable Member that there is a need for action at Community level to reduce
the direct and indirect risks of low tyre pressure.

As a result of ongoing contacts with manufacturers, who have production plants and markets worldwide,
and likewise with the American and Japanese authorities, the Commission is convinced that a solution can
be found through a global approach. Furthermore, it has raised these issues in the expert groups of the
Group of Rapporteurs on Brakes and Running Gear and of the International Standards Organisation (ISO)
and also at the more official level of the World Forum on the Standardisation of Vehicle Construction
under the auspices of the United Nations. The results of the work carried out by the experts are expected
in autumn 2001.

A measure of consensus is thus appearing among industrialists and governments on the need to work
together to find the most acceptable solutions. These various solutions can help reduce the number of
accidents:
the world, with technical
requirements for the manufacture of tyres (e.g. endurance tests) is one option. Another option would
require all wheels/tyres to be fitted with pressure transducers, which give an instantaneous reading of low
tyre pressure or a significant imbalance between tyres on the same axle.

legislation currently in force throughout

the harmonisation of

In this respect,

While it is true that even today there is a lack of reliable statistics on the seriousness of accidents caused by
tyres, it is highly probable that a significant number of fatalities and serious injuries are caused by faults in
tyres.
to pushing ahead with
the Commission is able to confirm its commitment
Community-wide and international efforts in this area. If the research project on international harmon-
independently take the initiative to
isation is not completed in the near future, the Commission will
propose Community rules. In any event, the Commission will take a position on this issue as part of the
third action programme on road safety, which it will adopt during the course of 2001.

(2001/C 318 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1095/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 April 2001)

Subject: Notifications under the Habitats Directive

In answer to Question E-0165/01 (1), the Commission states that it has delivered two opinions on the
In addition, the Commission has received from
application of Article 6(4) of the Habitats Directive.
Member States a number of notifications relating to (cid:145)activities at
(yet) designated as
Natura 2000 areas(cid:146). However, it has not yet drawn up any formal replies to them.

locations not

Can the Commission provide copies of the notifications it has received from Member States relating to
(cid:145)activities at locations not (yet) designated as Natura 2000 areas(cid:146)?

(1) OJ C 187 E, 3.7.2001, p. 197.