WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/02 by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Emergency phone number in the EU.
Date: 2002-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, accession to the European Union, civil defence, first aid, official language, telecommunications

C 28 E/178

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

and delivery of health services and medical care. In the field of diabetes, the work of the Commission has
therefore concentrated on policy development and measures related to the determinants of type II diabetes,
namely nutrition, obesity and physical activity. The forthcoming Community public health programme will
be policy driven and will aim to promote policy and activities on health determinants that will have an
impact on key challenges such as diabetes type II.

Thus, the Commission, in respecting Member States’ responsibility in this area, does not intend to set up a
specific priority plan related to diabetes. However, as mentioned by the Honorary Member, diabetes is
included in the Sixth Community Framework Programme for research and technological development in
Section 1 ‘Integrating European Research’ in the programme ‘Life sciences: genomics and biotechnology for
health’ and in Section 3 ‘Strengthening the Foundations of the European Research Area’.

In addition, foods presented as intended to satisfy the particular nutritional requirements of people with
diabetes should currently comply with the requirements of Council Directive 89/398/EEC of 3 May 1989
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to foodstuffs intended for particular
nutritional uses (1). However, the Commission intends to present a report to the Parliament and the
Council on the desirability of special provisions for foods for people with diabetes.

(1) OJ L 186, 30.6.1989.

(2003/C 28 E/203)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2091/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU

With reference to my Written Question E-1237/02 (1) to the Commission and the answer of 4 June 2002
given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission:

(cid:1) The emergency phone number ‘112’ should have been introduced in the EU Member States by

31 December 1996.

(cid:1) What specific measures is the EU taking to ensure that the Member States introduce the phone
number and that the phone number is in fact used? Does any form of control mechanism exist and, if
so, of which kind?

(cid:1) Does the EU monitor whether the emergency phone number actually works? Are measures taken to
ensure that the phone number ‘112’ does in fact connect people to an emergency call centre and not,
for example, to the local or regional police?

(cid:1) Are measures taken to ensure that persons involved in an accident may enlist help by telephone using

at least two languages (for example the national language and English)?

(cid:1) In which Member States is the emergency phone number ‘112’ actually used?

(cid:1) Which Member States are experiencing problems with the introduction and use of the emergency

phone number ‘112’? What kind of problems are they experiencing?

(cid:1) What are the arrangements for the applicant countries with regard to the emergency phone
number ‘112’? Are there any specific directives or regulations on this subject? Have any applicant
countries already introduced the emergency phone number and, if so, which ones?

(1) OJ C 277 E, 14.11.2002.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 2002)

Two surveys carried out by the Commission in 1998 and 2001, and the 5th Report on the
implementation of the telecommunications regulatory package (1), have all indicated that the ’112’ call
number has indeed been introduced in all the Member States. Its introduction has been checked via the
Open Network Provision Committees and the Committee on the Action Programme in the field of Civil
Protection. The findings of the surveys, the situation regarding the implementation of 112 in the Union
information can be found on the Europa site at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/
and all other relevant
environment/civil/prote/112/112_en.htm.

The surveys also showed that, of all the Member States, only Germany and the United Kingdom said they
could only handle calls in their official language. In the other Member States, 112 operators in practice
speak English as well as the national language(s).

112 callers should be connected to a body authorised to deal with emergency calls. Call management
organisation, e.g. between police/fire brigade or local/national police, remains entirely the responsibility of
the Member States, which retain the prerogatives of civil defence pursuant to the principle of subsidiarity.

The Commission recently received two complaints concerning emergency service responses in a Member
State. It is now examining these complaints and will probably need to request explanations from the
Member State in question. This is without prejudice to the institution of
infringement proceedings
regarding the implementation of Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the introduction of a
single European emergency call number (2).

Generally speaking, the problems encountered by the Member States would appear to be of two main
types: linguistic, leading to difficulties of understanding, and organisational. In a number of Member States,
the traditional sharing of responsibilities among the emergency services (police/fire brigade/ambulance, for
instance) may mean that 112 callers are not connected to all services.

Under the Action Programme in the field of Civil Protection (3), the Commission is, along with Spanish,
Italian, Greek and Portuguese consumer associations, co-financing two projects to assess the introduction
of 112 in those countries from the point of view of the end user. The findings are expected next year.

The Commission has no information as yet on the introduction of the 112 call number in the candidate
countries, but will be sure to provide the Honourable Member with the relevant details as soon as possible.

(1) COM(1999) 537 final.
(2) OJ L 217, 6.8.1991.
(3) OJ L 327, 21.12.1999.

(2003/C 28 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2092/02

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Distance contracts: varying cancellation periods

Distance contracts are contracts for the delivery of goods or the provision of services which are concluded
between a business and a consumer using means of distance communication only (letters, catalogues,
internet, telephone, etc.).

Directive 97/7/EC (1) grants consumers a cancellation period of at least seven working days for distance
contracts. There are differences in the way in which the Member States implement this Directive. For
in Italy ten working days and in
example,

in Austria the cancellation period is seven working days,