WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/01 by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission. Translation of regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods.
Date: 2001-05-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Denmark, national implementing measure, translation, transport of dangerous goods, transport regulations

C 364 E/114

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

Given the current state of play of the FTAA negotiations, no in-depth analysis of the various elements is
currently possible making it difficult to estimate the likely effects on trade between the Community and the
countries of the future FTAA.

(2001/C 364 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1447/01

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2001)

Subject: Cross-border banking charges after implementation of the euro

Can the Commission tell us how it intends to deal with the problem that cross-border banking charges are
likely to remain high even when euros have fully replaced national currencies? How does it intend to avoid
banks substituting transaction charges for lost currency conversion revenue?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

On 3 April 2001 the Commission adopted a communication on the preparations for the introduction of
euro notes and coins (1). This report includes a description of the measures currently being taken to
establish a euro payments area (2).

The Commission(cid:146)s conclusion regarding this matter is quite unambiguous:

An urgent effort is (cid:133) needed to bring about the establishment of a euro payments area. The
Commission will consider using all the instruments at its disposal and will take all the steps necessary
to ensure that the costs of cross-border transactions are brought more closely into line with the costs
of domestic transactions on 1 January 2002.

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Member. It takes the view that all
payments within the euro zone should receive similar treatment, be they domestic or cross-border
payments. That is why it is examining the measures which could be taken to bring the charges for cross-
border transactions closer into line with those of strictly domestic transactions.

(1) COM(2001) 190 final.
(2) Page 43 of the report.

(2001/C 364 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/01

by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Translation of regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods

The new international regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods have not yet been
translated into Danish.

In Denmark, the regulations are only available in English. This makes it impossible for many Danish
drivers to follow these regulations and for the police to monitor compliance with the regulations.

It is even harder for Danes to familiarise themselves with the regulations concerning rail transport since
these are only available in French, a language only few Danes speak.

Would the Commission ensure that the new regulations concerning the transport of dangerous goods are
translated into Danish by the date on which they are scheduled to come into force?

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/115

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

The new rules for the transport of dangerous goods are given in Commission Directives 2001/6/EC (1) and
2001/7/EC (2) for rail and road transport respectively and they came into force as of 1 July 2001 with
a delay of implementation until the end of year 2002. These directives are already published, but the
detailed technical requirements of their Annexes will be published as soon as they have been translated
into all the official languages of the Union.

These technical Annexes of nearly 1 000 pages each are nearly identical to the technical requirements of
international agreements, namely the European Agreement concerning International Carriage of Dangerous
Goods by Road under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ADR) and Regulations
concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID). Considering the size of the texts
and conscious of
the international agreements provide
18 months for the entry into force of the legislation. The same applies to the Community directives which
state that Member States are required to implement both texts at least by 31 December 2002 (except for
radioactive substances). Before that date the official Community translations will be available for all the
languages.

the problems generated by the translations,

In addition, irrespective of the availability of the text in Danish (or other languages of the Member States),
every Member State may decide to implement the new rules only on 31 December 2002 and on the other
hand, must accept until the 1 January 2003 on its territory the transport of dangerous goods, performed
using the rules in force before 1 July 2001. During the period between 1 July 2001 and 31 December
2002 both sets of rules may be applied. The situation is the same internationally with third countries when
using ADR and RID: there is the possibility to use either the (cid:145)old(cid:146) rules or the (cid:145)new(cid:146) rules. The safety of
transport is guaranteed both ways and the transition period does not cause legal uncertainty.

In any case the Commission would like to assure that the Danish text will be available at the same time as
the other language versions and this before the last date of
i.e.
31 December 2002.

implementation of the Directives,

(1) Commission Directive 2001/6/EC of 29 January 2001 adapting for the third time to technical progress Council
Directive 96/49/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of
dangerous goods by rail (OJ L 30, 1.2.2001).

(2) Commission Directive 2001/7/EC of 29 January 2001 adapting for the third time to technical progress Council
Directive 94/5/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous
goods by road (OJ L 30, 1.2.2001).

(2001/C 364 E/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1451/01

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Road transport of hazardous goods

(17 May 2001)

The Greek press reports that, although the law on road transport of hazardous goods entered into effect
a year ago, a large number of manufacturers and distributors of chemical products are in breach thereof
and hazardous loads are therefore being transported by road without the required special markings and
often with a disregard for safety measures.

The reasons put forward for these failings are:

(cid:129) the small-scale economic operation of most road haulage firms does not enable them to employ the

scientific staff (chemists) to assess the goods,

(cid:129) the lack of knowledge of police forces about the hazardous substances, and

(cid:129) the delay in training the staff of the National Centre for Chemical Products who are to help in carrying

out more systematic checks.