WRITTEN QUESTION E-3050/02 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. The use of epoxy derivatives in wine storage.
Date: 2002-10-24
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, Italy, eco-label, foodstuff, packaging product, paints and varnishes, plastics, storage of food, wine

C 155 E/80

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

CIGS support is granted on a discretionary basis, in practice almost exclusively from the funds of the
Italian state, and only the employees of certain types of undertaking are eligible.

In the past, the CIGS has frequently been used to benefit employees known to have been made redundant
and to have no chance of returning to their original employment. This has happened despite the fact that
Law No 223/1991 (Articles 1 and 24) prohibits use of the CIGS for this purpose. Nonetheless, such use of
the CIGS appears to be on the cards, according to statements made by Italian government representatives,
in the wake of the severe crisis now affecting Fiat.

Does the Commission believe that the CIGS is compatible with Article 87 of the EC Treaty?

(1) OJ C 92 E, 17.4.2003, p. 79.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(26 November 2002)

In almost all the Member States there are national systems, often complex, to deal with the temporary or
partial unemployment or the protection of workers in the event of the insolvency of their employer (1).

As the Commission has already indicated in its answer to Written Question P-1680/02 from the
Honourable Member (2),
it may be the case, under certain circumstances, that measures which were
intended at the outset to protect workers in the event of the insolvency of their employer may have the
effect of state aid within the meaning of Article 87 of the EC Treaty. This may be the case in several
Member States.

It is undeniable, however, that these measures are all, to a certain extent, types of risk pooling and that
they form part of the social safety net of each Member State.

The Commission’s approach must
therefore be to act responsibly towards European citizens while
respecting the rules on state aid in particular. It must avoid destabilising systems which guarantee the
social protection of workers and, at the same time, ensure fair play between Member States.

The Commission feels that the best and most balanced approach is to tackle the problem as a whole,
taking into account both the competition and employment aspects, in close cooperation with the Member
States themselves. This approach should allow us to reach a real Community solution in a consistent
manner in all of the Member States.

(1) Council Directive 80/987/EEC of 20 October 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating

to the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer (cid:1) OJ L 283, 28.10.1980.

(2) OJ C 92 E, 17.4.2003, p. 79.

(2003/C 155 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3050/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(24 October 2002)

Subject: The use of epoxy derivatives in wine storage

In Directive 2002/16/EC (1) on the use of certain epoxy derivatives in materials and articles intended to
come into contact with foodstuffs, the Commission states in its recitals that the use of epoxypropyl ether
(‘BADGE’) has raised serious questions about its safety. Test results have shown significant levels of these
substances and certain derivatives thereof in some foodstuffs.

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/81

In recital 11 the Commission states that the use and/or presence of BADGE and BFDGE in plastic materials
and articles, surface coatings such as varnishes,
lacquers and paints, as well as adhesives, should be
regulated at Community level to avoid risks to human health and barriers to the free movement of goods.

Despite these concerns, the response in a particular Member State has been the opposite. The Italian
Health Service openly prohibits wine producers from making wine in concrete unless the inner surface of
the container has been treated with an epoxy coating. Apart from the fact that concrete, together with
wood and terracotta, is the oldest, and, some would say (a good many leading French wine producers
among them), the best, way of storing wine, this means that strict biological wine production is no longer
possible in Italy. The Ecocert biological label does not permit the use of epoxy coating.

Where does the Commission stand on the fact that the Italian public-health inspectorate is forcing
winegrowers to apply a product (epoxy coating) that is potentially toxic in contact with foodstuffs to the
internal surfaces of wine containers?

Are there any European rules and regulations applicable to wine storage in general, and to the various
alternative methods in particular, such as storage in concrete, with or without epoxy derivatives?

Does the disagreement between the Italian authorities and the founder of the Ecocert organisation not
point to a need for consistent European arrangements on the use of epoxy derivatives?

(1) OJ L 51, 22.2.2002, p. 27.

(2003/C 155 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3073/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(25 October 2002)

Subject: Use of epoxy derivatives in the wine industry

Further to the recent question E-3050/02 on the same subject:

Ecocert Italia is an organisation that carries out checks on organic labels for wine and other products. The
organisation refuses to recognise as organic wine that has matured in containers treated with epoxy
derivatives. However, the Italian health authorities (USL) do not allow organic wine growers to produce
wine in concrete containers unless the inside of the containers is first treated with epoxy.

Is the Commission convinced that use of epoxy is safe for health? If not, what measures does it intend to
take and what alternatives does it propose?

Does the Commission authorise the production of wine in untreated concrete? If not, what are its grounds
for imposing a ban?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-3050/02 and E-3073/02
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2002)

Storage containers for wine have to comply with the general requirements of Council Directive 89/109/
EEC of 21 December 1988 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (1).