WRITTEN QUESTION E-3849/03 by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission. Compilation of information on organ transplants in Europe.
Date: 2003-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, exchange of information, health legislation, organ transplantation

C 78 E/658

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

(2004/C 78 E/0700)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3846/03

by Maj Theorin (PSE) to the Commission

(12 December 2003)

Subject: Women and conflict

The report on participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution adopted by Parliament in November
2000 (A5-0308/2000) describes how women are in all conflicts exposed to rape and other attacks but
very seldom allowed to participate in the peace process. The UN report entitled ‘Women, War and Peace’
from 2002 covering the same subject as the above report proposes measures for empowering women.

What action is the Commission prepared to take to increase women’s participation in the entire peace
process?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

It is indeed necessary to take practical steps to ensure the full participation of women and the integration
of the gender perspective in peace and security issues.

Within its areas of responsibility, the Commission will continue to work to effectively address the gender
aspects of crisis management and conflict prevention. The Commission’s ‘twin track approach’ to gender
mainstreaming ensures not only the integration of gender issues at the policy level, but also the support of
specific gender programmes and projects. Moreover, all EU assistance includes the gender dimension as an
assessment criteria. It should be noted that the Commission’s approach to gender mainstreaming is subject
to regular review and debate with the Member States.

Examples of practical steps the Commission has taken include support for specific actions (cid:1) such as in
Angola, where it has promoted the establishment of stronger links amongst women’s groups, non-
governmental organisations (NGOs) and others; or in Cyprus, where it has supported inter-community
initiatives launched by women; or in Afghanistan, where it has rehabilitated women’s meeting places, such
as hammams; or in Chechnya, where it has funded mother and child healthcare.

Additionally, the inclusion of a gender module in the core component of the Community’s pilot courses
for civilian crisis management is a concrete step toward sensitising policy makers on the importance of
including a gender perspective in peace building missions. To date 260 experts have been trained by
training institutions located in nine different Member States.

(2004/C 78 E/0701)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3849/03

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Compilation of information on organ transplants in Europe

Further to its answer to my Written Question E-1666/03 (1), could the Commission indicate if it has now
concluded the compilation of information on the situation in respect of organ transplants in the Member
States and applicant countries. If so, what conclusions has it drawn, and what action does it now propose
to take?

(1) OJ C 51 E, 26.2.2004, p. 122.

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 78 E/659

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2004)

The Commission has compiled data on the current practices and legal requirements related to organ
transplantation in the Member States and the Acceding Countries and it is in the process of analysing the
results. These results will be integrated in a more comprehensive report on a Community approach to be
taken in the field of organ transplantation that the Commission will bring forward when the necessary
analysis and preparation has been undertaken.

(2004/C 78 E/0702)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3850/03

by Jan Andersson (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 2003)

Subject: Harmful isocyanates and the protection of workers

Isocyanates are basic chemicals that are used primarily in the production of polyurethane foam, and
polyurethane elastomers, etc. Isocyanates are thus found in chemical products such as paints, varnishes,
surface treatments, adhesives and sealing compounds. It has recently been discovered that exposure to
isocyanates also arises when mineral wool, glass wool and bakelite, etc. are heated.

For a long time now, the production and use of isocyanates has been on the increase. Most western
European countries apply the same occupational exposure limits (0,005 ppm). However, studies show that
the methods that have been used for many years to measure isocyanates in Europe are inadequate.
Therefore, trade unions in the EU are calling for European rules for the industrial use of products that
contain, or can emit, isocyanates.

Is the Commission aware of the harmful nature of isocyanates and the risks of exposure run by

1.
workers in many industries?

Does the Commission intend to take any measures and lay down European rules for the protection

2.
of workers from isocyanates?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission is well aware of the harmful effects of isocyanates for workers.

Several isocyanates are on the priority list for the work of the Scientific Committee for Occupational
Exposure Limit values (SCOEL) (1).

During 2004, the Committee (SCOEL) plans to start evaluating the available toxicological data with the
aim of recommending occupational exposure limit values for isocyanates. Where appropriate, after this
work has been accomplished, the Commission will propose occupational indicative exposure limit values
for isocyanates, according to the provisions of Article 3, of Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on
the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (2).

(1) OJ L 188, 9.8.1995.
(2) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998.