WRITTEN QUESTION E-1999/03 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Leakage of Chlophen (PCB) in central Athens.
Date: 2003-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Greece, accidental pollution, chemical pollution, dangerous substance, pollution control measures

C 65 E/108

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(10 July 2003)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the selling of television rights of sports events
is an economic activity, which is subject to Community competition law.

The sale of TV rights of light athletic events is therefore also in principle a matter, which could fall within
the scope of Community competition law. However, regarding the issue raised, namely the problem
concerning the ownership of TV rights by the sports associations which have taken the risk of organising
the event, it must be noted that, according to Article 295 of the EC Treaty, Community law does not
prejudice in any way the system of property ownership.

Furthermore, as regards the exercise of the TV rights of light athletics events and compliance with
Community competition rules, the Commission has at present no ongoing procedures, either upon
complaint or own initiative investigations, concerning specifically this sports discipline.

(2004/C 65 E/120)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1999/03

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Leakage of Chlophen (PCB) in central Athens

(16 June 2003)

According to articles in the Greek press, a report by the University of Crete claims that there has been a
leakage of Chlophen (PCB), a material used as insulation in transformers, condensers etc., from the Greek
Public Power Corporation’s (DEH) substation in the basement of the Ministry of Finance (in central
Athens). This material
is known to be extremely hazardous and carcinogenic; authoritative scientific
journals consider it responsible for neurological disorders in embryos, disruption of the endocrine system,
etc.

This is not the first time that there has been talk of a leakage of Chlophen from a DEH substation in
Greece, while in the specific case of the building housing the Greek Ministry of Finance, the concentration
of Chlophen was 9000(!) times greater than that in the air in Athens.

Is Chlophen used in other Member States of the Union? What information has the Commission received
from the Greek authorities concerning the above incident recorded by the University of Crete in central
Athens? Does the Commission have any information concerning similar incidents in Greece over the last
ten years?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2003)

The Commission assumes that the question is generally addressing PCBs, because Clophen is a trade name
for PCBs in commercial formulation. Use restrictions on PCBs are laid down in Council Directive 85/467/
EEC of 1 October 1985 amending for
the sixth time (PCBs/CTs) Directive 76/769/EEC on the
the Member States relating to
approximation of
restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (1). According to
Council Directive 96/59/EC of 16 September 1996 on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and
polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT) (2) for equipment with PCB volumes of more than 5 cubic decimeter
(dm3) decontamination and/or disposal shall be effected at the latest by the end of 2010. Therefore, at the
time being some equipment containing PCBs is still in use in Member States.

laws, regulations and administrative provisions of

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/109

On 16 June 2003 the Commission proposed that the Union ratifies two international agreements on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which include PCBs in the 12 listed POPs. These international
agreements,
the Stockholm Convention and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE) Protocol on POPs aim at phasing out these most toxic chemicals by controlling their production,
use, import, export, emissions and disposal. At the same time, the Commission has proposed a Regulation
to fulfil the obligations from the international agreements at home and to enable prompt ratification by
the Union (see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/pops/index_en.htm).

In general, the Commission is neither informed about incidents related to the use of PCBs, nor has it been
contacted regarding this specific incident by the Greek authorities, or any similar accident in the past.

(1) OJ L 269, 11.10.1985.
(2) OJ L 243, 24.9.1996.

(2004/C 65 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Subject: Free circulation of euro notes

Almost from the outset, the free circulation of euro notes has been hampered by an obstacle that, though
expected, is none the less tiresome and worrying, namely the fact that some notes, particularly those above
EUR 50, are not accepted by some traders.

Signs marked ‘notes above EUR 50 not accepted’ are a common sight in shops and other sales outlets.

Are there any provisions which allow traders to refuse to accept euro notes of whatever denomination
and,
the
if not, do prospective purchasers have any legal recourse against measures which restrict
circulation of specific denominations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

According to Article 106 (1), 3rd sentence, of the EC Treaty and Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC)
No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro (1) all denominations of euro banknotes have
legal tender status. While this Regulation introduces a further limitation (see Article 11) on the maximum
number of coins which any party is obliged to accept, no further rules are laid down in relation to
banknotes. The different banknote denominations are specified in a decision of the European Central Bank
(ECB) Governing Council. The concept of legal tender is undefined in Community law, and should
therefore be interpreted against the background of national rules and practices.

There is no European legislation, which provides legal recourse against the restricted acceptance of certain
banknotes. Different legal provisions may apply according to the monetary and civil
laws of Member
States.

(1) OJ L 139, 11.5.1998.

(2004/C 65 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072/03

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Rules on ships’ crews

National
legislation in Denmark on the national fleet makes it impossible for a German master, for
instance, to find employment on a Danish-flagged vessel. For mariners, this very much constrains the