WRITTEN QUESTION E-2658/01 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. TETRA radio masts.
Date: 2001-10-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, application of EU law, electromagnetic interference, public health, technical standard, telecommunications

20.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 147 E/37

The total amount of EU humanitarian aid for Afghanistan for 2001 amounts (as of late October) to some
€ 330 million, which makes Europe one of the most important donors to the region. (EC: ECHO more
than € 50 million, food aid € 28 million, aid to uprooted people € 22,5 million; Member States: pledges
and commitments to NGOs and UN agencies of some € 230 million.)

The Council
is constantly reviewing the situation regarding the military operations which began on
7 October. Generally speaking, the Council has agreed that the attitude of third countries towards the fight
against terrorism will clearly be taken into account in all aspects of the EU’s policies towards those
countries.

(2002/C 147 E/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2658/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 October 2001)

Subject: TETRA radio masts

When will the Commission bring forward its review of safety regarding TETRA radio masts, first due to be
published in June of this year?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(21 December 2001)

On 12 July 1999, as part of its endeavours to protect the health of European citizens against the effects of
exposure to electromagnetic fields, the Council adopted a Recommendation on the limitation of exposure
of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) (1). This Recommendation covers the
Tetra system, to which the Honourable Member refers.

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member’s attention to Community legislation in
ensuring that products like Tetra base stations and Tetra mobile phones are safe. In order to comply with
this legislation (Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio
equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (2)
and Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States
relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (3)), manufacturers need to
ensure that products comply with strict safety standards following the latest scientific advice such as laid
down in the Council Recommendation.

The Commission also asked the Scientific Committee on Toxicology, Ecotoxicology and the Environment
technologies using
to deliver a new opinion on the on the risks related to the development of
electromagnetic radiation. In its opinion published on 30 November, the Committee confirmed that:

the additional information that has become available on carcinogenic and other non-thermal effects of
radiofrequency and microwave frequencies in the last years does not justify a revision of exposure
limits set by the Commission on the basis of the 1998 opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee.

In line with this opinion, any additional measures regarding the Tetra system should be taken by Member
States’ relevant authorities.

(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.
(2) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.
(3) OJ L 77, 26.3.1973.