WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/02 by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Composition of the Independent Regulators Group.
Date: 2002-04-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: approximation of laws, exchange of information, regulation of telecommunications, self-employed person, telecommunications, transmission network

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/141

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 May 2002)

On the basis of the information given by the Honourable Members, the landfill situated in Sardone di
Giffoni Valle Piana (Salerno) could be relevant under Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on
waste (1), as modified by Council Directive 91/156/EC of 18 March 1991 (2), which has the objective of
protecting human health and the environment against harmful effects caused by the collection, transport,
treatment, storage and tipping of waste. In particular, under this Directive, Member States shall take
measures to ensure that waste is recovered and disposed of without endangering human health and
without using processes or methods which could harm the environment. Member States shall also take the
necessary measures to prohibit the abandonment, dumping or uncontrolled disposal of waste.

Not being aware of the situation described by the Honourable Members, the Commission will take the
appropriate steps in order to gather detailed information about it and to ensure the observance of
Community law, pursuant to Article 211 of the EC Treaty.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(2002/C 277 E/160)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1055/02

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Composition of the Independent Regulators Group

1.

Can the Commission inform me of the composition of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG)?

2. Will the Commission prevent
governments?

the IRG’s being expanded to include representatives of national

3.
To what extent would the participation of government representatives or officials from relevant
ministries violate the framework directive, and if it would, what can the Commission do to restrict
membership of the IRG purely to independent regulators?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2002)

The Independent Regulators Group (IRG) was established in 1997 as a group of European National
Telecommunications Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) to share experiences and points of views among its
members on issues relating to the regulation and development of the European telecommunications
market.

The Commission neither is a member nor participates at its meetings.

In applying the new Regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services and more
particular the Framework Directive (1) it is envisaged establishing a European Regulators Group (ERG).

C 277 E/142

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

According to the draft decision establishing the ERG, the group shall provide the interface between
national regulatory authorities and the Commission in such a way as to contribute to the development of
the internal market and should allow co-operation between Member States and the Commission in
a transparent manner as to ensure the consistent application in all Member States of the regulatory
framework.

According to the draft decision, the group will comprise the heads of each relevant national regulatory
authorities in charge of overseeing the day-to-day interpretation and application of the provisions of the
Directives relating to electronic communications networks and services, as defined in the Framework
Directive, or their representatives. The Commission shall be represented at all meetings and shall provide
the Secretariat to the Group.

An initial draft of the proposed Commission Decision of establishing the ERG was made available to the
Members of the Parliament.

(1) Directive 2002/21/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework

for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive), OJ L 108, 24.4.2002.

(2002/C 277 E/161)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1070/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Ship safety

Further to the report by the British Judge Mr Justice Colman into the loss of the MV Derbyshire, the more
recent loss of the Cypriot-registered bulk carrier Christopher last year, and concern expressed elsewhere
about the seaworthiness of pre-1998 bulk carriers, what steps has the Commission taken to curtail the
registration of such vessels or introduce controls on their use in EU waters?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(28 May 2002)

The high number of bulk carrier casualties in the past decades and the associated tragic loss of human lives
remain an issue of major concern for the Commission. In the past, the Commission participated in the cost
of the investigation into the loss of the M.V. Derbyshire and currently is providing financial support to the
Royal Institute of Naval Architects in the United Kingdom, which is co-ordinating internationally a Formal
Safety Assessment (FSA) study into the safety of bulk carriers. This has been undertaken at the instigation
the International Maritime Organisation, with the purpose of
of
developing recommendations for safer ship design.

the Maríne Safety Committee of

The registration of ships is a matter for individual Member States, which shall ensure, in accordance with
Council Directive 94/57/EC (1), that their competent authorities can assure an appropriate enforcement of
the provisions of the international conventions, in particular with regard to the inspection and survey of
ships flying their flag.

The problem particular to bulk carriers casualties is the heavy loss of life associated with foundering when
structural failure is, or appears to be, the cause. This has prompted the international maritime community
to take, in the first instance, measures to enhance the structural integrity of dry bulk carriers, focusing
mainly on the maintenance and enhancement of the strength of the ship’s hull. In support of these
developments the Union has adopted a number of port State control measures (2) aimed at imposing
higher standards of maintenance of dry bulk carriers.