WRITTEN QUESTION E-1756/02 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Manufacturing standards for bicycle components.
Date: 2002-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, consumer protection, marketing standard, product quality, product safety, two-wheeled vehicle

C 301 E/222

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

(2002/C 301 E/234)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1756/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Manufacturing standards for bicycle components

On Wednesday, 5 June 2002, the Belgian Federal Parliament failed to reach agreement on whether or not
it should be obligatory for bicycles to be equipped with what is known as a ‘horseshoe lock’. Nevertheless,
the Belgian Federal Government intends to commission alternative studies in order to encourage the use of
bicycle locks. With a view to ensuring that bicycles are equipped more generally with ‘reliable fittings’,
such as ‘high-quality lights’, Mrs Isabelle Durant, Federal Minister for Mobility and Transport, intends to
call at European level for manufacturing standards to be laid down because she feels that manufacturers,
‘frequently from Asian countries’, cannot guarantee the requisite quality.

Has the Commission already received a request from Mrs Durant along these lines?

Does the Commission share the view that manufacturing standards need to be introduced for bicycles and
accessories? If so, what are its grounds for so doing, and what steps is it taking to achieve the desired
result? If not, why not?

Does the Commission share the view that products from Asia do not meet the quality requirements which,
according to the Belgian Minister for Mobility and Transport, are essential for the manufacture of reliable
bicycles?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(22 July 2002)

The Commission has not received any recent official request from the Belgian authorities regarding the
harmonisation of standards for bicycles. The Commission has no information indicating that such
harmonisation is necessary for ensuring the free movement of bicycles in the internal market.

With regard to the quality of Asian bicycles, neither has the Commission received any complaints about
the reliability of such products sold on the European market.

More generally at Community level, since there is no specific legislation, bicycles as products intended for
consumers are covered by Council Directive 92/59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety (1). This
Directive requires manufacturers to place only safe products on the market. In the case in point, the
Member States are required, even in the absence of harmonised technical specifications, to ensure that this
obligation is met and thus to prevent unsafe bicycles being placed on the market.

(1) OJ L 228, 11.8.1992.

(2002/C 301 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1763/02

by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: Capacity of the Commission staff to handle health and safety legislation

How many persons are currently employed in the Commission department dealing with health and safety
legislation, and what was the change in this figure during the last 15 years?

Has the Commission conducted an evaluation on how staff are able to deal with all aspects of this
legislation, in particular researching scientific evidence justifying proposals, undertaking regulatory impact
assessments and, most importantly, monitoring the implementation of health and safety legislation across
the EU Member States?