WRITTEN QUESTION E-3465/01 by Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE), Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE),Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE) and Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the Decopaint study on the potential for reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the use of paints and varnishes.
Date: 2002-01-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cost-benefit analysis, environmental law, environmental protection, paints and varnishes, pollution control measures, small and medium-sized enterprises, solvent

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/67

(2002/C 172 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3465/01

by Amalia Sartori (PPE-DE), Renato Brunetta (PPE-DE),
Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE) and Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 January 2002)

Subject: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the Decopaint study on the potential for reducing
emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to the use of paints and varnishes

The Decopaint study on the potential for reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to
the use of paints and varnishes, published by the Commission in July 2001, envisages the possibility of
regulating the percentage of solvents in decorative paints and varnishes and the use of solvent-based
paints. In view of the importance of paint-producing SMEs for the European economy, the potentially
extremely negative impact of a legislative proposal on employment in the sector must be seriously
assessed.

Does the European Commission intend to carry out a cost/benefit analysis of the impact of the proposed
rules on SMEs?

Will the Commission take due account of the needs of SMEs and the effects on the SME paint sector when
it assesses the regulatory options in this area?

Answer given by Mr Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2002)

The Commission will consider the impact of any proposal to reduce the content of volatile organic
compounds (e.g. decorative paints) in products on all affected sectors including small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME’s). In this context, the Decopaint study is one of the elements that will be taken into
consideration to prepare a proposal.

As is normal practice any draft proposal will be the subject of consultation with all stakeholders including
representatives from the SME sector where they are affected.

In the context of the recent discussions leading to the adoption of the Directive 2001/81/EC of the
Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric
pollutants (1), reducing the solvent content of certain categories was stated to be a cost-effective route to
reducing emissions that lead to the formation of tropospheric ozone.

The preliminary analysis appears to confirm this. However when finalising a proposal the Commission will
endeavour to find ways to allow the industrial sectors affected to adapt to whatever new requirements may
evolve.

(1) OJ L 309, 27.11.2001.

(2002/C 172 E/071)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3470/01

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

Subject: Uniform safety standards for nuclear power plants

(4 January 2002)

The Commission points out time and time again that, in the field of nuclear safety, the European Union
has no powers to adopt Union-wide standards. However, the Commission is very much entitled, and duty-
bound, to submit proposals on problems with European relevance in order, in so doing, to encourage
thought to be given to them in discussion processes.