WRITTEN QUESTION E-2082/01 by Simon Murphy (PSE), Werner Langen (PPE-DE),Emilia Müller (PPE-DE), Dirk Sterckx (ELDR), James Fitzsimons (UEN)and Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Commission. Draft Risk Assessment Report — Zinc and Zinc Chemicals.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: chemical product, dangerous substance, drafting of EU law, health risk, impact study, prevention of pollution, zinc

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/57

The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health stated in its opinion of
23 September 1999 that, according to the human epidemiology data available on foodborne listeriosis, a
Listeria monocytogenes concentration of less than 100 per gram, at the consumption stage, may be
regarded as a low risk for all population groups.

The Commission has called together a working group of experts from the Member States in order to
initiate an overall discussion on harmonising the relevant microbiological criteria for each food category.
This group’s work will be included in draft Community legislation, as proposed in Article 6 of the Proposal
for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs adopted on
14 July 2000 by the Commission (3) and submitted to Parliament and the Council.

In addition, with regard to small-scale producers, the Commission suggested, in Article 4 of the above
proposal, a system of derogations granted by the Member States which would take into account specific
geographical constraints, exclusively local distribution and/or traditional methods of production, without
compromising public health objectives.

(1) OJ L 268, 14.9.1992.
(2) OJ L 175, 19.7.1993.
(3) OJ C 365 E, 19.12.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/072)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2082/01

by Simon Murphy (PSE), Werner Langen (PPE-DE),
Emilia Müller (PPE-DE), Dirk Sterckx (ELDR), James Fitzsimons (UEN)
and Massimo Carraro (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Draft Risk Assessment Report 9 Zinc and Zinc Chemicals

(13 July 2001)

Is the Commission aware of the widespread concerns felt by the European General Galvanisers Association
at the timescale for the completion of the Risk Assessment Report (RAR) by the European Chemicals
Bureau into Zinc and Zinc Chemicals?

Does the Commission share our view that the RAR must take into account the findings of a substantial
Europe-wide zinc research programme, due for completion by the end of 2002?

Further, is the Commission concerned that failure to take that research programme into account would
result in itself, Parliament and Council receiving incomplete information about zinc and might lead to
flawed and damaging legislation?

(2002/C 93 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2127/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 July 2001)

Subject: Assessment of the risks of zinc

Everybody know that the assessment of the risks to human health and the environment presented by zinc
is compulsory under Regulation 793/93 (1). Regulation 1488/94 (2)
lays down the principles. Since it
belongs to the second list of priorities, zinc is currently being examined. The Dutch institute conducting
the study will be responsible for drawing up the report. The zinc-coating and related industries fear that
the Commission intends draw up the final report in too much of a hurry. The report is considered to be
incomplete, since the PNEC values (predicted no-effect concentrations) are thought to be inaccurate.