WRITTEN QUESTION E-3108/01 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. European CE-standard markings on stun weapons.
Date: 2001-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC conformity marking, arms industry, dual-use good, electrical equipment, sales promotion, torture

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/211

(2002/C 93 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2934/01

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 October 2001)

Subject: CE marking on torture instruments

Amnesty International reports that electric shock and stun gun devices are being exported from the EU
and advertised in Taiwan as having a ‘European guarantee of 2 years’. The devices also display the CE
standard mark.

Can the Commission take action to prevent the use of this CE mark to help promote the sales of weapons
used to torture or ill-treat people in many countries in the world, or is the European Union powerless to
prevent this perversion of its quality mark?

(2002/C 93 E/251)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2965/01

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(25 October 2001)

Subject: The use of the CE safety marking in the manufacture of stun weapons

Is the Commission aware of the growing concern that EU Member States are effectively allowing stun
weapon manufacturers to use the European Commission CE ‘safety’ markings on their stun batons as a
quality selling point?

Would the Commission please advise by what process European standard marks are awarded and how
many stun weapon manufacturers are using the CE markings on their products?

In the light of this, does the Commission have any plans to take action to prevent such manufacturers
from using the safety marking to promote the sale of their products?

(2002/C 93 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3012/01

by Linda McAvan (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2001)

Subject: CE mark on torture instruments

Human rights groups have raised concerns that certain companies are using the CE mark as an
endorsement for products such as stun guns which can be used as instruments of torture.

Can the Commission confirm that the CE mark is not intended as a selling point in the advertising and
marketing of products, and can it give some reassurance that action will be taken to ensure that any
misuse of the CE mark stops?

(2002/C 93 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3108/01

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: European CE-standard markings on stun weapons

It has been brought to my attention that non-European Union manufacturers have been advertising that
their stun weapons are marked with the CE safety-standard mark. These weapons are frequently used as
torture devices in prisons and detention centres.

C 93 E/212

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2002

Could the Commission clarify the process by which the European CE-standard marks are awarded? Could
the Commission also explain how many stun-weapon manufacturers are using CE markings on their
products? Finally, what action is the Commission taking to prevent stun-weapon manufacturers from using
CE markings to promote the sales of their products?

(2002/C 93 E/254)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3191/01

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: European CE standard markings on stun weapons

It has been brought to my attention that non-European Union manufacturers have been advertising that
their stun weapons are marked with the CE safety standard mark. These weapons are frequently used as
torture devices in prisons and detention centres. Could the Commission clarify the process by which
European CE standard marks are awarded? Also, could the Commission explain how many stun weapon
manufacturers are using the CE markings on their products? Finally, how is the Commission taking action
to prevent stun weapon manufacturers from using CE markings to promote the sales of their products?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2934/01, E-2965/01, P-3012/01, E-3108/01 and E-3191/01
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2001)

The Honourable Members are referred to the Commission’s answer to Written Question P-2783/01 from
Mr Ford (1).

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 209.

(2002/C 93 E/255)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2948/01

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(25 October 2001)

Subject: Compatibility of hands-free kits for mobile telephones

Over the last few years, because of drivers’ ever increasing use of mobile telephones, the use of hands-free
kits has been made mandatory in almost all European Union Member States, above all on road safety
grounds.

Attendant on the mandatory use of hands-free kits is the problem that, because of the rapid pace of mobile
telephone development, mobile sets and hands-free kits, which are expensive, usually have to be replaced
at the same time, since the latter will be virtually incompatible. That is bound to result in less self-
discipline in hands-free use, less safety and more accidents brought about because of mobile telephone use.

Does the Commission therefore think that regulating this area makes sense?