WRITTEN QUESTION E-3103/02 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Identification of football supporters at European matches.
Date: 2002-10-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU police cooperation, application of EU law, hooliganism, personal data, protection of privacy, public order, sporting event, sports body

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/165

On the basis of an opinion from SCCNFP, a maximum concentration of 6 % in cosmetic products was
introduced for the specific hair dye para-phenylendiamin (PPD)
in the Directive (Annex III, No 8).
However, recently, PPD has been subject to a process of re-evaluation. The SCCNFP stated in its opinion
adopted on 27 February 2002 that the information submitted is insufficient to allow an adequate risk
assessment to be carried out and that additional data would be required before any further consideration.
Therefore, the Commission will require the industry to submit urgently the necessary data in order to
finalise the risk assessment. The Commission will consider the appropriate measures in relation to PPD.
The other hair dye mentioned, 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine had been evaluated and an opinion had been
adopted on 4 October 1991. Indeed it would be feasible to re-evaluate 2-Chloro-p-phenylenediamine on
the basis of new scientific data. Therefore, the Commission will ask for the data the Danish Toxicology
Centre had published to transmit them to the SCCNFP and ask for its expert view.

As cosmetic products even under normal conditions of use can produce undesirable effects,
the
manufacturer or the person responsible for placing cosmetic products on the market already collects data
on these effects within the product safety file. The way this information can be made accessible to the
public is being considered in the process of adopting the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive.

(1) Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to

cosmetic products, OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2003/C 110 E/184)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3103/02

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(29 October 2002)

Subject: Identification of football supporters at European matches

Football supporters in Belgium who want to attend a match in the stadium of a first division league club
are required by Belgian law to be in possession of a security pass, known as a ‘fan card’. This pass contains
the personal details of the holder and is for personal use only. If this system is correctly applied it means
that clubs know exactly who is in the stadium. This should prevent rowdy elements joining the army of
supporters. Violent supporters are denied access to the stadium.

In the case of matches between European teams this system does not operate. In other words, Belgian
football fans who obtain tickets for a Belgian club’s matches abroad are not expected to be able to prove
their identity. Anyone, including potential hooligans, is virtually free to obtain a ticket. In the country
where the match is taking place spotters from the visiting club are used. They travel with the visiting
supporters and can point out potential troublemakers to the law enforcement authorities on the spot.

Does the Belgian fan card system comply with Directive 95/46/EC (1) on the protection of individuals with
regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data?

Does the Commission share the view that for security reasons it is desirable that supporters attending
football matches outside their own Member State should have to be able to prove their identity? If so, what
steps will it take to introduce such a system? If not, why not?

(1) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31.

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2002)

Directive 95/46/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of
individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, is a

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8.5.2003

framework Directive and is designed to harmonise Member States legislation in order to ensure the free
movement of personal data within the Internal Market. Member States must adopt laws transposing the
Directive and apply its principles in their national context.

The Commission is not familiar with the details of the Belgian fan card system.

In order to determine compatibility in a specific case, it would be necessary to look in particular:

(cid:1) at the relevance of the data processed in relation to the purpose of the collection and further
processing: the amount of data collected should correspond to what is necessary and should not be
excessive;

(cid:1) at the arrangements made to inform data subjects of the purpose of the processing, of the identity of

the data controller and of the parties with whom the data is shared;

(cid:1) and at the limits placed on the use of the data: any uses must be compatible with the purpose for

which the data were collected.

Member States may make exceptions to some requirements of Directive 95/46/EC where this is necessary
for law enforcement or public safety reasons, but such exceptions must be made by legislation.

The Commission underlines that, according to Article 28 of Directive 95/46/EC, each Member State must
provide that one or more public authorities are responsible for monitoring the application within its
territory of the provisions adopted by the Member States pursuant to this Directive. The compatibility of
specific processing operations with national law is in the first instance a matter for these authorities to
determine.

As to the question from the Honourable Member if an obligation for supporters to prove their identity
when attending matches outside their own Member State will contribute to enhancing security the
Commission would like to reply as follows.

Such a measure would indeed seem interesting. In itself it will not be sufficient to assure an adequate level
of security at international football matches, however. That objective can only be achieved when the
relevant services of the Member States implement the measures which are described in the Handbook with
recommendations for international police co-operation and measures to prevent violence and disturbances
in connection with international football matches and which was approved by the Council by way of a
Resolution on 6 December 2001.

(2003/C 110 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3116/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2002)

Subject: Update on the evaluation of fenthion

Commissioner Byrne stated in his answer to Written Question E-0749/02 (1) that the Commission would
submit the result of its evaluation to the Scientific Committee on plants in April 2002 and that the
Committee was expected to deliver its opinion within two months. The Commissioner added that it was
the intention of the Commission to decide on fenthion as soon as possible after receipt of the opinion of
the Scientific Committee.

Did the Scientific Committee conclude that fenthion is safe or unsafe, and what decision has been taken by
the Commission?

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 225.