WRITTEN QUESTION E-2662/03 by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Ozone-depleting substances.
Date: 2003-09-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: environmental monitoring, environmental policy, environmental protection, quality of the environment, stratospheric pollutant, waste management

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/413

(2004/C 78 E/0434)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2662/03

by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Ozone-depleting substances

With reference to your answer dated 22 March 2002 to written question P-0595/02 (1), when only two
Member States had reported on the mechanisms they had in place for the recovery and destruction of
ozone-depleting substances, and when the Commission committed itself to a comprehensive overview of
the situation throughout the EU, can the Commission now provide an update of the situation in each of
the Member States?

(1) OJ C 205 E, 29.8.2002, p. 168.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2003)

To date all Member States except Ireland have responded.

Most Member States have reported on the following: safety and quality standards for equipment that
contains ozone-depleting substances (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
recycling,
2001;
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 minimum qualification standards for

involved in ODS recovery,

technicians

The Commission has undertaken evaluations and has, so far, identified four Member States that are not in
compliance with Article 16(5) (1) and 16(6) (2) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the Parliament and of
the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (3). Therefore, the Commission
took a decision on 9 July 2003 to take Ireland to the Court of Justice for not reporting. In addition, three
infringement procedures are under way against Greece, Spain and Portugal for insufficient reporting and
implementation of the Regulation. For detailed overview of the state of play on recovery and destruction a
table is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat.

(1) 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) Member States shall report to the Commission by 31 December 2001 on systems established to promote the
including the facilities available and the quantities of used controlled

recovery of used controlled substances,
substances, recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed.

(3) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000.

(2004/C 78 E/0435)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2666/03

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Recycling print catridges

Directive 2002/96/EC (1) of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE) aims to reduce the amount of electrical and electronic waste disposed of in landfills and
incinerators by establishing separate collection and recycling systems for such waste. By making
manufacturers responsible for the disposal of electronic goods at the end of their useful
lives, WEEE
gives producers incentives to improve the recyclability of these products.