WRITTEN QUESTION E-1304/03 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission. Treatment of CFC-and HCFC-containing equipment.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, EU control, European standard, dangerous substance, household electrical appliance, national implementing measure, ozone, stratospheric pollution, waste management, waste recycling

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/57

2. These measures are summarised under article 22, 2nd alinea of Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999,

in particular the 3rd and 4th indent thereof.

3. The maximum aid rate co-financible amounts to EUR 450 per hectare and year. The Community

contribution is fixed at 50 % (in Objective 1 (cid:1) areas: 75 %) of the aid rate up to this ceiling.

4. The source of

the Community co-financing is the EAGGF, Guarantee section. The necessary

co-financing by the Member States may come from national, regional or other public budgets.

(2004/C 58 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1304/03

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Treatment of CFC-and HCFC-containing equipment

In regard to EC Regulation 2037/2000 (1) and more specifically the treatment of refrigerators and other
cooling appliances that contain CFCs and HCFCs, can the Commission explain what measures are being
taken to ensure that these appliances containing ozone depleting substances are being properly distributed
to licensed recycling and treatment plants? In what ways are Member States actively encouraging and
assisting in making certain that these appliances are treated properly? What steps are being taken by
candidate countries to prepare for the proper treatment of equipment containing CFCs and HCFCs?

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that
deplete the ozone layer requires Member States to undertake and report on the recovery, recycling,
reclamation and destruction of ozone depleting substances (ODS) controlled under the Regulation and to
define the minimum requirements for the personnel involved (1).

The responsibilities of the Commission are to determine compliance with the Regulation by examining the
progress made in each Member State. The Commission sent out official letters to Member States in July
2002 reminding them of their reporting obligations (2).

To date, all Member States except one have responded. Based on the evaluations undertaken by the
Commission, most Member States have now reported on: the safety and quality standards for equipment
that contains ODS; inspection procedures for installations containing ODS, record keeping and reporting
requirements; ODS recovery methods; mobile and fixed ODS destruction equipment; quantities of ODS
recovered, recycled, reclaimed and destroyed during 1999, 2000 and 2001; the minimum qualification
standards for technicians involved in ODS recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction and efforts
undertaken to make the public and industry aware of the requirements of the Regulation that include
articles in the news media, workshops and information on official websites.

The Commission has identified four Member States that are not in compliance with the Regulation and has
launched infringement procedures for not reporting, or for insufficient reporting and implementation of
the Regulation.

C 58 E/58

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

The Commission has been closely monitoring the steps taken by Acceding States in their preparation to
ensure compliance by 1 May 2004 with all the requirements of the Regulation. After this date, the
Commission will assess the compliance of these countries based on their reports on ODS recovery,
recycling, reclamation and destruction, following the same procedures that are used for current Member
States. Bulgaria and Romania will need to comply with the same requirements by a date yet to be agreed
with the Union.

(1) Article 16(5) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000: ‘Member States shall take steps to promote the recovery, recycling,
reclamation and destruction of controlled substances and shall assign to users, refrigeration technicians or other
appropriate bodies responsibility for ensuring compliance with the provisions of paragraph 1 […]’.

(2) Article 16(6) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000: ‘Member States shall report to the Commission by 31 December
2001 on systems established to promote the recovery of used controlled substances, including the facilities available
and the quantities of used controlled substances, recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed’.

(2004/C 58 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1308/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in North Korea

The Commission will be aware of the human rights abuses, notably the treatment of Christians, which
continue in North Korea.

Has the Commission:

1. made representations to the North Korean Government?

2. other plans, to try to improve the dreadful situation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 2003)

North Korea is currently a major concern for the international community including the Union. The Union
systematically raises the human rights situation, including freedom of religion, during its regular political
contacts with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Authorities. In June 2002 in Pyongyang,
it had the opportunity to discuss the plight of Christians in North Korea. It also requested access to the
country for the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights ‘(http://
www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mrei.htm)’.

The Commission is kept regularly informed about the situation of Christians through non-governmental
organisations (NGOs), and in particular Amnesty International and the Christian Solidarity Network.
However, it will continue to monitor very closely the human rights situation in North Korea. Its concerns
are also raised during discussions at the ongoing session of the UN Commission of Human Rights in
Geneva where the Union has tabled a resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK.