WRITTEN QUESTION E-0830/02 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European register of companies practising alternative dispute settlement.
Date: 2002-03-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU policy, civil proceedings, consumer policy, consumer protection

C 205 E/224

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

(2002/C 205 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0830/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: European register of companies practising alternative dispute settlement

Following the trial period of the European Extrajudicial Network (EEJ Network), Europe’s consumers now
have more suitable alternatives for the alternative settlement of disputes.

For this reason, many consumers’ associations in the EU Member States are considering whether or not it
would be a good time to set up a European register of companies belonging to the alternative dispute-
settlement system (or consumer arbitration), so that both consumers and companies would have effective
ways of generating mutual trust, which is essential if a modern, competitive internal market is to function
properly.

Does the Commission not think that, following the trial period of the EEJ Network, encouragement should
be given to the setting up of a European register of companies practising consumer arbitration as a scheme
for the alternative settlement of disputes? Such companies could be granted an official badge which would
inspire confidence on the part of consumers from any Member State.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(25 April 2002)

The pilot phase of the European Extra-Judicial Network (EEJ-Net) was launched on 16 October 2001. This
pilot phase will last for one year. The EEJ-Net involves a total of 17 countries (all Member States, plus
Norway and Iceland). It was considered desirable to begin with a test period 4 for the full network to be
completed, for the consumer dispute resolution bodies to assimilate and familiarise themselves with the
network, and for an ongoing review to be undertaken to improve its operation. The Commission intends
to report on the success of the pilot phase in the autumn 2002.

The Commission has also set up a group of government experts, which meets regularly to monitor
development of the pilot phase and to discuss issues relating to the network. Although there is no specific
intention at this point to create a register of companies participating in the dispute resolution system, the
Commission agrees that this idea could be explored further. Preliminary discussions on this issue have
already taken place within the government experts group, and this matter will be examined more fully in
the autumn report.

(2002/C 205 E/245)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0834/02

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 March 2002)

Subject: Scrapping of fishing fleets

At question time on 12 March 2002, Commissioner Fischler replied to a question which I put concerning
the support for scrapping of fishing fleets which was approved in connection with the 2002 budget
procedure. However, he did not fully reply to the question or to the supplementary question concerning
one aspect: may EU subsidies under such schemes also be paid for the scrapping of vessels which were
built with the aid of previous EU subsidies? I would therefore reiterate the question: may they?