WRITTEN QUESTION P-3161/03 by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Italian proposal for adapting Directive 97/24/EC to technical progress.
Date: 2003-10-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: anti-pollution device, approval, drafting of EU law

C 65 E/270

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/283)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3154/03

by Michael Cashman (PSE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Mobile telephone safety

Given the findings of recent studies which show that the new generation of mobile telephones can
interfere with many types of heart pacemaker, can the Commission detail what measures are being taken
to prevent harm to the health of EU citizens?

It would seem that newer pacemakers that are fitted with a ceramic filter are immune. Can the
Commission confirm that steps are being taken to introduce these models across the industry and to
ensure that the public are aware of the risks of using the old models?

Can the Commission also detail what information it has provided regarding the safety of using mobile
telephones in conjunction with a pacemaker since 1994?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(3 November 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 65 E/284)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3161/03

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 October 2003)

Subject: Italian proposal for adapting Directive 97/24/EC to technical progress

In 2000, the Italian Government proposed that a procedure be launched for adapting Directive 97/24/
EC (1) to technical progress with the aim of introducing the separate type-approval of replacement catalysts.
This adaptation would enable all manufacturers of replacement catalytic converters to obtain type-approval
for their products. Three years have passed since this proposal was presented, and it is still with the
relevant departments at the Commission.

Could the Commission indicate what stage those departments have reached in their work, whether they
have set themselves a deadline for completion of the work and whether on adoption the draft directive will
take the form of a technical directive?

(1) OJ L 226, 18.8.1997, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2003)

The Commission is presently working on a very large package of amendments with respect to motorcycle
emissions through reference to Articles 5-8 of Directive 2002/51/EC (1) (amending Directive 97/24/EC (2)).
That package includes replacement catalytic converters and the Commission has worked closely with the
Italian authorities, other Member States and stakeholders on this specific issue.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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It was originally foreseen that the Italian proposal on replacement catalysts could be dealt with through the
Committee for Adaptation to Technical Progress (CATP). However, the proposal needed more time for
consideration by stakeholders and for the preparation of acceptable amendments. It should also be noted
that the inclusion of requirements for replacement catalysts in Directive 97/24/EC will extend the scope of
that Directive and this should not be addressed through CATP.

Replacement catalytic converters will therefore be dealt with in the overall package of measures to be
proposed to the legislators through co-decision. This package of measures is subject to an extended impact
assessment that will provide an evaluation of the Commission proposal to be presented to the Parliament
and Council during the beginning of 2004.

(1) Directive 2002/51/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 19 July 2002 on the reduction of the level of
pollutant emissions from two- and three-wheel motor vehicles and amending Directive 97/24/EC, OJ L 252,
20.9.2002.

(2) Directive 97/24/EC of

the Parliament and of

the Council of 17 June 1997 on certain components and

characteristics of two or three-wheel motor vehicles.

(2004/C 65 E/285)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3172/03

by Caroline Jackson (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 October 2003)

Subject: Fire safety in hotels

A consumer survey from May 2002 showed that 82 % of 80 hotels inspected were unsafe in the event of a
fire, due to management faults (misuse of emergency stairwells for storing maintenance equipment, fire
doors, fixed, open locking of emergency exit doors) and structural faults (single unprotected escape routes,
lack of fire and smoke compartments, incomplete and unclear orientation/guidance systems).

As the Commission has recognised that not all Member States have implemented the recommendation on
hotel fire safety, will the Commission, based on the consumer survey’s findings, now finally proceed with a
directive?

Has the Commission considered whether the proposed new legislative framework for ‘safety of services’ (1)
could be applicable to hotels, and would this make the recommendation on hotel fire safety superfluous?

(1) COM(2003) 313.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2003)

The Commission is aware of the survey conducted in 80 hotels by consumer associations from five
Member States. Although it was not based on Council Recommendation 86/666/EEC on fire safety in
existing hotels (1), the Commission feels that it reinforces the analysis presented in its report on the
application of Recommendation 86/666/EEC (2).

The Commission therefore intends to continue as follows, in accordance with the guidelines set out in this
report:

(cid:1) in the cases provided for in Recommendation 86/666/EEC, to make greater provision for alternative

solutions where the technical guidelines cannot be implemented;

(cid:1) to clarify issues related to the monitoring by Member States of implementation of the Recom-

mendation;