WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/01 by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission. Asbestos.
Date: 2001-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: asbestos, building materials, environmental protection, hazardous waste, public health, waste management

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/121

They will chiefly be concerned with:

(cid:17) control of access to sensitive areas of airports and aircraft;

(cid:17) control of passengers and their hand luggage;

(cid:17) control and monitoring of hold luggage;

(cid:17) control of cargo and mail;

(cid:17) training of ground staff;

(cid:17) definition of specifications for the equipment for the above controls;

(cid:17) classification of weapons and other items which are prohibited to bring on to aircraft or into the

sensitive areas of airports.

When adopted this Regulation will
indeed respond to the request of the Honourable Member. The
procedure for implementation at national level will largely rely on the measures taken by the Member
States themselves in accordance with their national practices, so that the execution of training can vary
from one state to another. Such training can indeed be done in some Member States by national officials
while in others it would be done by private companies under the supervision of governmental staff.

Moreover the Commission and the Presidency have decided, as agreed on 14 September 2001, to create a
multidisciplinary ad-hoc group to examine what other steps should be taken to enhance the current
security measures and respond to the new types of threat. The group will report to the Council for
consideration at its next meeting on 7 December 2001.

(2002/C 134 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2845/01

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 October 2001)

Subject: Asbestos

The problem of removing material containing asbestos fibres from buildings is still a delicate issue in the
European Union. Asbestos is proven to be dangerous to human health, which is why the legislation of
many countries provides for its removal and disposal
in special dumps. What further measures and
obligations can be introduced at Community level?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2001)

The Commission shares the view of the Honourable Member on the importance of a safe handling and
disposal of construction materials containing asbestos. There is indeed, extensive Community legislation on
asbestos: Commission Directive 1999/77/EC of 26 July 1999 adapting to technical progress for the sixth
time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain
dangerous substances and preparations (asbestos) (1)
in the Union from 1 January 2005 at the latest,
although this directive does not concern itself with the removal of existing asbestos. Council Directive
87/217/EEC of 19 March 1987 regulates the prevention and reduction of environmental pollution by
asbestos (2). The latter Directive stipulates that the demolition of buildings, structures and installations
containing asbestos and the removal therefrom of asbestos or materials containing asbestos involving the
release of asbestos fibres or dust should not cause significant environmental pollution. Furthermore, on the
basis of an initial Commission Proposal, construction materials containing asbestos have been recently
classified as hazardous waste and thus will have to be disposed of following the obligations laid down in

C 134 E/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous waste (3)
from 1 January 2002
onwards.
In addition, the Commission is considering measures to promote the practice of selective
demolition in order to segregate the hazardous wastes present in construction materials and ensure their
safe disposal.

Furthermore, as regards the protection of health and safety of workers at work there is Council Directive
83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to
asbestos at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of Directive 80/1107/EEC) (4).
This Directive has been amended and updated by Council Directives 91/382/EEC of 25 June 1991 (5) and
Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from
the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of
Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC (6). On 20 July 2001 the Commission adopted a proposal for a
Directive of the Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 83/477/EEC (7), which aims to
reinforce further the protection of workers. The main provisions of the proposal concern stricter limit
values, an obligation for the employer to prove his capacity in activities involving asbestos removal and an
extensive duty to inform employees.

(1) OJ L 207, 6.8.1999.
(2) OJ L 85, 28.3.1987.
(3) OJ L 377, 31.12.1991.
(4) OJ L 263, 24.9.1983.
(5) OJ L 206, 29.7.1991.
(6) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.
(7) OJ C 304 E, 30.10.2001.

(2002/C 134 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2848/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Controlling the marketing of dangerous chemicals

(17 October 2001)

The terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have spread terror and fear in Europe, since it is not
exempt from the threat of terrorist attacks either. The countries of the Western Alliance were recently put
on a state of alert by the US Government and the Japanese because of the fear of chemical and biological
weapons being used by terrorists.

In order to help combat such risks of tragedy and step up a combined intelligence operation for a wide-
ranging campaign against terrorism, does the Commission not consider it appropriate to call on the
governments of the Member States:

1.

2.

3.

4.

to make their chemical
dangerous substances in the last few months which could be used to manufacture toxic weapons;

industries carry out checks to ascertain what customers have purchased

to ascertain whether any substances of this kind have been stolen or have disappeared;

to step up the exchange of information on any anomalous or irregular situations ascertained in this
field;

to be particularly vigilant as regards their factories and staff in order to prevent any toxic substances
being taken away or any attacks on factories and/or stores being carried out?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 December 2001)

Quickly after the 11 September events, the Commission, with full backing from Member States moved to
anticipate entry into force of a new Civil Protection Mechanism (foreseen for 1 January) co-ordinated by
the Commission, which reinforces the EU civil protection capabilities.