WRITTEN QUESTION E-0262/03 by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission. Health criteria for award of EU eco-label.
Date: 2003-02-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: allergy, consumer protection, eco-label, food safety, organic farming, preservative, product safety

C 242 E/114

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

9.10.2003

(2003/C 242 E/115)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0256/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 February 2003)

Subject: Landfill in Moncorneil-Grazan, France (cid:1) Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste

It has been brought to my attention that a landfill in Moncorneil-Grazan, France, may not be operating in
compliance with requirements as laid down in Article 8 and Annexes I and III of the Landfill Directive
(1999/31/EC (1)). Has the Commission received a formal complaint concerning the above case and if so,
has it requested further information from the French Government?

(1) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2003)

The Commission has received a complaint concerning the landfill
in Moncorneil-Grazan. The case is
currently being examined with a view to assessing compliance with Council Directive 75/442/EEC of
15 July 1975 on waste (1) as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991 (2) and Council
Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (3). The Commission has requested further
information from the French Government.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.
(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.
(3) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.

(2003/C 242 E/116)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0262/03

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(5 February 2003)

Subject: Health criteria for award of EU eco-label

the aims of

the EU’s eco-label

is to promote more environment-friendly production and
One of
consumption but
the scheme can be improved in several respects. The Danish press reported on
23 January 2003 that consumers are surprised that products bearing the eco-label might well contain
allergenic substances such as the preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile.

The fact that the scheme focuses only on environmental criteria and does not take health issues into
account in awarding the label is not, it is argued, in line with consumer expectations. Will the Commission
therefore say what its future plans are for a revision of the eco-label scheme and whether it is aware of any
investigations concerning problems with the awarding of the EU eco-label? Will the Commission also say
whether it has carried out or intends to conduct surveys into consumers’ and producers’ wishes concerning
the incorporation of health criteria and/or other factors into the scheme?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(6 March 2003)

The press article on which the written question is based does not reflect the nature of the Union eco-label
accurately, since the scheme does take health issues into account. The eco-label criteria that have to be met
for a product to be awarded the eco-label also cover, in most cases, health and safety aspects, such as not
allowing the use of chemicals with health-related risks.

9.10.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 242 E/115

The Commission has, however, acknowledged that the health-related benefit of the Union eco-label needs
to be highlighted and actively communicated to the European consumer. It is therefore envisaged to
reinforce the health-related criteria in the various Decisions establishing the eco-label criteria for the
different product groups and to improve communication on the combined health and environment quality
advantages of eco-labelled products to the European consumers and other stakeholders. In addition, the
Commission intends to reinforce the emphasis on health aspects when the eco-label Regulation comes up
for revision in 2005.

Against this background, the Commission does not intend to conduct surveys into consumers’ and
producers’ wishes concerning the incorporation of health criteria and/or other factors into the scheme.
However, discussions with all relevant stakeholders in the Union Eco-labelling Board on the forthcoming
revision have already been launched in order to obtain a comprehensive overview of their experience with
the instrument and their views on future developments. These discussions will be stepped up over the next
two years and should provide an important input for the revision of the scheme.

(2003/C 242 E/117)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0272/03

by Rosa Díez González (PSE) to the Commission

(6 February 2003)

Subject: Commissioning of a specified risk material (SRM) incinerator

Over 1 000 inhabitants of the villages of Térmens and Vallfogona de Balaguer in the province of Lleida
have signed a petition against plans for an incinerator that is to be constructed by the Grefacsa company.

The application to construct an incinerator to burn around 40 000 tonnes per annum of animal meal
originating from animals and organs classified as SRMs (specified risk materials) was published in the
Official Journal of the Generalitat de Catalunya on 5 November 2002. I understand this SRM classification
to mean that these animals were liable to have suffered diseases such as the transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies commonly known as ‘mad cow’ diseases.

Various scientific reports indicate that
remain stable for long periods in the air, water and soil.

incinerators produce carcinogenic synthetic substances which

Is the Commission aware of the construction of this incinerator?

How many such incinerators are there in Europe?

What current legislation governs this area and has or will a Community directive be issued in this regard?

What are the maximum permissible emissions?

To what extent might the incinerator affect the environment and especially the health of people living
under 10 kilometres away?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 March 2003)

The incineration of waste is regulated by several legal instruments, aimed at preventing or limiting as far as
practicable its negative effects on the environment and the resulting risks to animal and human health.
As regards the incineration of animal by-products to which Directive 2000/76/EC of the Parliament and of
the Council of 4 December 2000 on the incineration of waste (1) does not apply, Article 12 of Regulation
(EC) No 1774/2002 of the Parliament and of the Council of 3 October 2002 laying down health rules
concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption (2) will apply as from 1 May 2003.