WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651/03 by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission. Consumer involvement in the common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC.
Date: 2003-09-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: consumer movement, political participation, public hearing, water management

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/147

Regulation (EEC) 178/2002 (2) of the Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the
general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and
laying down procedures in matters of food safety.

(1) OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.
(2) OJ L 31, 1.2.2002.

(2004/C 78 E/0152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2651/03

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Consumer involvement

in the common implementation strategy for the Water Framework

Directive 2000/60/EC

In the answer given by the Commission to a previous question (E-0879/03 (1), 2 May 2003)
the
the common
Commission claimed that
implementation strategy had delivered on expectations,
including the involvement of stakeholders and
non-governmental organisations. However, the Commission admitted that although in October 2001 it
invited European consumer umbrella organisations BEUC and AEC to participate, neither organisation had
to date joined the implementation strategy process.

the first phase of one and a half years,

looking back at

Does the Commission regret that no organisation representing consumers, who are a key stakeholder in
the aims and objectives of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC (2)), is participating in the process?
BEUC has proposed to the Commission that the UK consumer body WaterVoice should be invited to
participate as an expert water consumer group, but the Commission is understood to have declined
because WaterVoice is not classed as a European organisation. Is the Commission satisfied that it is right
not to make a pragmatic exception which would achieve some involvement by a consumer organisation
rather than as now, and over the last one and a half years, none at all?

(1) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 110.
(2) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 October 2003)

The Commission regrets that, so far, no European, or international, consumer organisation is currently
participating in the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) for the Water Framework Directive (1). Since
the last communication on this issue (response to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-0879/03),
the Commission has continued to encourage and invite European and international consumer
organisations to participate in the Common Implementation Strategy. In addition to the Bureau Européen
des Unions des Consommateurs (BEUC) and the Association of European Consumers (AEC) which were
already contacted in 2002, the Commission has also approached ‘Consumers International’ and invited that
organisation to take part in the CIS. Consumers International has shown considerable interest and is
currently consulting with BEUC in order to agree on an appropriate modus operandi.

In the beginning of the CIS, criteria for participation of stakeholders and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) have been laid down and agreed between the Commission and the Member States. These criteria
include the requirement that participating organisations should have a European vocation representing the
consolidated views of different national or regional bodies. The reason for this restriction was to ensure
that the inputs from the different interest groups were balanced and representative of a wide range of
opinion rather than simply presenting national or regional positions. In addition, in many of the Member
implementation process for the Water Framework Directive includes the active
States the national

C 78 E/148

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

participation of national and regional interest groups and there is no interest to repeat this structure at a
European level. With the exception of the consumer organisations, the criteria for participation have been
proven useful in practice without being too restrictive.

As regards the United Kingdom’s consumer body ‘Water Voice’, the Commission has taken note of their
interest. In order to find a solution which enables this national organisation to participate, while still
respecting the general criteria, the Commission suggested to BEUC that ‘Water Voice’ might send a
representative on behalf of BEUC. In their response, BEUC clearly stated that ‘Water Voice cannot represent
BEUC as a whole’. Therefore, the application of ‘Water Voice’ had to be regarded as from a national
(Eng-
organisation rather
land & Wales) not European consumers’ interests. It also has to be kept in mind that the situation in
England and Wales concerning the structure of the water sector is unique in Europe and that consumer
experience is therefore unlikely to be representative. In parallel to the efforts of ‘Water Voice’ to participate
in the CIS, the Commission has invited ‘Water Voice’ to apply for access to the information exchange
platform (CIRCA system) for the CIS: the CIRCA System includes all the documentation that is prepared in
the context of the CIS.

than a European umbrella organisation and thus

representing regional

The Commission will continue its efforts to ensure that European consumers interests as a whole are being
represented in the Common Implementation Strategy. The Commission is confident that in the ongoing
dialogue with Consumer International an appropriate solution will be found.

(1) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for

Community action in the field of water policy.

(2004/C 78 E/0153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2663/03

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has expressed its concerns about delays in ratification of the
Montreal Amendment, in particular as it pertains to the illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances. As of
October 2002, the EIA reported that only 84 of the 183 parties to the Protocol had ratified the
Amendment, committing signatories to the implementation of a licensing system in the context of trade in
ozone-depleting substances. Could the Commission provide information on which of the EU Member
States have ratified this amendment?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 2003)

As of 28 July 2003, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden and
the United Kingdom have ratified the Montreal Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Community
ratified the Montreal amendment on 17 November 2000. The Montreal Amendment, adopted in 1997 at
the ninth meeting of the Parties, requires all Parties to implement an import and export licensing system.
Implementing such systems is important in helping to prevent illegal trade in ozone depleting substances.
The Commission, on behalf of the Community and its Member States, has implemented an import and
export licensing system for controlled substances which operates under Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of
the Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (1).

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000.