WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/03 by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE)and Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Electric connections for caravans.
Date: 2003-10-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, accident in the home, camping, camping vehicle, electrical equipment

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/249

With regards to Community support mechanisms to SMEs, the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)-Helpdesk,
a Commission pilot project,
the Community Research Framework Programme by
Commission’s Enterprise Directorate General, was launched in 1998 as aiming to assist potential and
current contractors taking part in Community funded research and development projects with IPR issues.

financed under

Since 1 January 2002,
this IPR-Helpdesk (http://www.cordis.lu/ipr-helpdesk/en/home.html) assists the
target audience, including SMEs, on IPR related issues with a special focus on Community diffusion and
protection rules and issues relating to intellectual property in European research and technological
projects.

In addition, a financial Community contribution can be obtained by contractors, notably SMEs, taking part
in Community funded research and development projects under the 6th Community Research Framework
Programme, for costs incurred during the life of the project in relation with the patenting of inventions
resulting from the project.

in the context of the Commission’s Action Plan to increase investment in research (2),
Furthermore,
a number of actions are aimed at developing European guidelines covering notably IPR arrangements in
collaborations between universities and industry and at promoting Union-wide IPR awareness and training
activities, both are particularly important for SMEs.

Finally, it is to be noted that according to the Community Framework for State Aid for Research and
Development (3), operating costs (such as
incurred directly by SME undertakings
beneficiaries of national aid, as a result of research and development activities, are eligible under the
mentioned Framework, and that the aid granted is considered (cid:1) under certain conditions (cid:1) to be
compatible with the Common Market.

IPR protection)

(1) COM(2003) 21 final.
(2) COM(2003) 226 final.
(3) OJ C 45, 17.2.1996.

(2004/C 65 E/264)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2936/03

by Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE-DE)
and Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 October 2003)

Subject: Electric connections for caravans

Further to the written question tabled in the light of some reports (cf. the 6 and 8 September 2003
editions of ‘Algemeen Dagblad’, a Dutch newspaper) that the electrical equipment of most caravans does
not conform to European safety standards, attention must now also be paid to the electric connections
between caravans and campsite electric bollards or junction boxes. Caravan connections in Europe must
conform to the CEE 17 European Standard. Although the campsite connection must conform to the
standards of the relevant Member State, the power point on that electric bollard must, in principle, also be
equipped with the CEE connector. Any failure to monitor carefully the rules governing this matter may
result in serious potential danger for caravanners.

Is the Commission aware that, in many Member States, campsite connections are not equipped with

1.
a power point with a CEE connector?

Does the Commission agree that the fitting of a power point with a CEE connector must be made

2.
obligatory in order to reduce safety risks to a minimum?

Is the Commission prepared to take steps to ensure that all European caravans and campsites are

3.
equipped with connectors and power points which conform to the CEE European Standard?

C 65 E/250

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 2003)

For the time being the safety of electric installations of caravans is not covered by any Community
legislation. Electric connection of caravans to the mains on campsites is also excluded from Community
legislation. Electric installations and connections to the mains of caravans are subject
to national
installation rules in the Member States, which differ significantly.

1.
The Commission is aware of this non-harmonised situation in Europe with regard to the plug and
socket outlet system. All attempts to harmonise plugs and socket outlet systems for domestic use (i.e. up to
16A rated current) throughout the Union, which were heavily inspired by the Commission, have been
abandoned in the past. The majority of the Member States do not see the need to agree on a harmonised
solution. Various attempts were made by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation
(Cenelec) to agree a standard on these plugs, however, after several years of intensive meetings it has not
been possible to find consensus with the manufacturers of plugs and socket outlets.

2. With the current legal situation in Europe it is, therefore, not possible for the Commission to decide
on a harmonised connection system for caravans.

3.
It is within the Member States’ responsibility to decide on the connection system for caravans. Most
of the Member States accept the European CEE 7 connecting system for caravans. However, there is no
obligation to use this on European level.

(2004/C 65 E/265)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2961/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Subject: Staff employed by the Community Support Framework Management Body (MOD-AE)

Under Law 2372/96 (Official Gazette of 23 February 1996)
the Community Support Framework
Management Body (MOD-AE) was set up as a public limited company. This body was initially intended
to operate until 2003, a period subsequently extended to 2010 with the possibility of further extensions.

Article 8(1) of the ‘MOD-AE’ Articles of Association state that staff shall be recruited from the private
sector or seconded from the civil service or public sector under fixed-term renewable contracts which,
under Article 8(2), cannot be converted into open-ended contracts. The MOD-AE staff members,
numbering around 600, have been recruited gradually from the private sector since 1996 under fixed-
term contracts renewable every two years. At the same time, the company refuses to conclude a collective
agreement.

Following the adoption of Directive 1999/70/EC (1), is it possible for a legal provision to remain in
1.
force formally prohibiting the conversion of fixed-term into open-ended contracts in this or any other
public company?

Does the fact

the
the company is required to fulfil a specific task,
2.
Community support framework, constitute legal grounds entitling it to conclude fixed-term contracts with
its staff on an exclusive basis?

i.e. management of

that

Is the company entitled to refuse to conclude collective agreements regarding career advancement,

3.
overtime, training, working regulations, etc.?

4. What action will the Commission take to bring the MOD-AE into line with Directive 1999/70/EC?

(1) OJ L 175, 10.7.1999, p. 43.