WRITTEN QUESTION E-1069/02 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Nickel cadmium batteries.
Date: 2002-04-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: cadmium, electricity storage device, environmental protection, marketing standard, nickel, recycling of capital

6.2.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 28 E/67

responsibilities are more clearly defined in law, but they are not measurable. For other elements, such as
the improved structure of administrative management of the system, of which some parts are only
applicable since the beginning of 2002, it is still too early to make an evaluation.

Considerable efforts have been and are being made by the Commission to assure timely introduction of the
New Computerised Transit System (NCTS). It has provided all the necessary central support such as
common software, a help-desk, hosting co-ordination meetings, running seminars and workshops, etc. In
addition, every opportunity has been taken in its contact with Member States to insist on the importance
of granting the necessary priority to the NCTS.

In May 2001 the Commission organised a demonstration of the NCTS projects for which representatives
of the Parliament and Member States were invited. Only recently the Member of the Commission
responsible for the Internal Market, Taxation and the Customs Union has raised the issue by letter to the
Finance Ministers of the Member States and within the Internal Market Council. Parliament has especially
been kept informed by letter of the above-mentioned Member of the Commission to Mr Cox, President of
the Parliament and Mrs Theato, Chairman of the Committee on Budgetary Control. The Commission has
fulfilled all its legislative and technical obligations. It is urging Member States and traders to fulfil the
obligations on their part to make NCTS fully operational.

Feedback received so far from the Finance Ministers indicated that they will meet the target date of 1 July
2003 for introducing NCTS as set out in the ‘Customs 2002’ decision.

The Commission has furthermore, taken all the appropriate actions in order to get the system operational
by the same date in all the countries which are contracting party to the Convention on common transit.
Although for the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Visegrad countries (Poland, Hungary, the
Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic) no legal obligation exists, they have declared to be ready at the
same time.

While the objectives of the NCTS and the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) contain the fight
against fraud in the area of sensitive and excisable goods, both systems have as well specific objectives,
have different legal bases and administrative arrangements. They are also managed separately in the
Member States. However, the Commission is committed to maximise the commonality between the two
systems in order to ensure their interoperability where necessary, to minimise the costs incurred by the
trader community in using both systems, to minimise the risks associated to the implementation of EMCS,
to minimise its set up and operation costs. The EUR 35 million budget proposal takes already advantage of
budget offsets resulting from commonalties such as project management and elements of infrastructure.
However,
the necessary EMCS specific activities related to specification, development,
operation and maintenance, co-ordination & support for the next five years with the aim to achieve the full
deployment of EMCS across the Community by this time.

it covers all

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2787/2000 of 15 December 2000 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying
down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community
Customs Code, OJ L 330, 27.12.2000.

(2003/C 28 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1069/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(17 April 2002)

Subject: Nickel cadmium batteries

Does not the Commission feel that, since most nickel cadmium batteries are used in power tools, a system
involving deposit and recycling rather than restrictions on use might be the best way to protect both the
environment and the industry?

C 28 E/68

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(31 May 2002)

The main objective of the future revision of Council Directive 91/157/EEC of 18 March 1991 on batteries
and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances (1) will be to ensure the environmentally sound
management of all batteries and accumulators. In particular, the Commission is currently analysing a
number of possible risk reduction measures in relation to Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries. The latter
include mandatory take back systems, deposit schemes and marketing and use restrictions. Different
measures could be envisaged for different applications of NiCd batteries.

The Commission is evaluating the feasibility as well as the potential effectiveness of deposit schemes as
part of its overall analysis of appropriate measures in relation to NiCd batteries.

(1) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(2003/C 28 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1087/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Progress of the Regional Operational Programmes in Greece

(18 April 2002)

It is clear from the progress made to date that there are teething problems in starting implementation of
individual measures and programmes included in the Regional Operational Programmes of the third CSF in
Greece. This delay is linked both to the two years that have elapsed since the theoretical start of the third
CSF and the implementation of the national (sectoral) programmes, where progress is less slow.

1. What are the reasons for this delay?

2. When does the Commission believe that the situation will be resolved?

Does the Commission not believe that because of this delay there may in the future be problems

3.
regarding the overall progress of the third CSF in Greece?

Supplementary answer
given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2002)

Most of the operational programmes (OPs) under the Community support framework (CSF) for Greece
during the 2000-2006 period were adopted at the beginning of 2001. It was only at that point in time
that the new management structures,
in particular the relevant managing authorities required by the
regulation (1), were in place and operational.

A first series of projects were approved by the managing authorities some six months later, following the
publication of a call for proposals. In the period since then, further calls for project proposals have been
issued.

The financial plan for the OPs were rescheduled to take account of their effective date of commencement,
the contribution from the Structural Funds remaining unchanged.

The services of the Commission,
progress in an effort to ensure full use of the resources available.

in partnership with the Greek authorities, will continue to monitor

(1) Règlement CE No 1260/1999 du Conseil du 21 juin 1999.