WRITTEN QUESTION E-1763/02 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission. Capacity of the Commission staff to handle health and safety legislation.
Date: 2002-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU employment policy, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, European Commission, administration of the Institutions, occupational health, occupational safety, personnel administration

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?

5.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 301 E/223

In the context of the Health and Safety Strategy (1), has the Commission conducted an evaluation of the
workload which will be needed to deliver the strategy, and what changes are envisaged in the staff
numbers for the future?

(1) COM(2002) 118 final.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 August 2002)

In 1992, 35 officials or temporary agents of categories A and B worked in the area of health and safety at
work. Today 14 officials or temporary agents of categories A and B work in this area, plus 3 A category
seconded national experts (END), out of a total staff of 25. However,
it should be recalled that the
Commission work is complemented by the work of the Bilbao Agency which currently employs 14 A and
10 B grade temporary agents, plus 3 A category END, out of a total staff of 45. The Agency has taken over
activities concerning information, awareness-raising and collection of data since its creation. Furthermore,
since 1998, the Agency has been organising the European Week on health and safety, previously the
responsibility of Commission services. In addition, the budget for preparatory actions to support small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during 2000 and 2001 on the initiative of the Parliament was transferred
to the Agency.

This brings the total of A and B categories human resources assigned to the area of health and safety at
work to 44 today.

Moreover, the scope of activities falling under the remit of Directorate General Employment and Social
Affairs has greatly increased, notably in the fields of employment (with the launching of the European
Employment Strategy), and social protection (launching of the open method of coordination in the fields
of social inclusion and pensions). Moreover, the strengthening of the social dialogue has resulted in an
increased workload,
in particular in the follow up of acquis communautaire (both social partners’
agreements or new legislation further to their consultation).

In this context, and taking into account the limited resources available, it has been deemed that the current
assignment of staff will allow the Commission’s services to duly carry out its tasks in this area. In the
framework of the overall evolution of human resources assigned to the employment and social affairs area,
the Commission will constantly evaluate the workload in the different specific fields and take appropriate
measures as necessary.

(2002/C 301 E/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1770/02

by Peter Liese (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 June 2002)

Subject: Ireland’s voting on the 6th research framework programme in relation to decisions in other areas

The Irish press reports that the way Ireland votes on the 6th research framework programme or on specific
research programmes is to be linked with decisions in other areas such as agriculture and government aid.

The fear has been expressed that, if Ireland fails to fulfil expectations concerning support for research, the
country may be subjected to sanctions in other areas.

Does the Commission share the view that such reports may strengthen opponents of the Nice Treaty in a
possible second referendum? Can the Commission make it clear that Ireland has the same rights as all
other Member States in respect of voting in the Council and, in particular, that the Republic of Ireland is
entitled to make demands of the specific research programmes and to reject one or more programmes if
important requirements are not met?