WRITTEN QUESTION E-3933/03 by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission. Recognition of the ergonomic saddle chair in the EU's chair classifications.
Date: 2003-12-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, ergonomics, new product, occupational health, standardisation, technical standard

C 78 E/882

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(11 February 2004)

Trafficking in human beings (cid:1) and trafficking in children in particular (cid:1) is an abhorrent and worrying
phenomenon. It involves practices such as coercive sexual exploitation, labour exploitation in conditions
akin to slavery, exploitation in begging and juvenile delinquency as well as domestic servitude.

The Commission has been actively engaged since 1996 in developing a comprehensive and multi-
disciplinary approach towards the prevention of, and the fight against, trafficking in human beings
involving all relevant actors (cid:1) non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and social authorities, judicial, law
enforcement and migration authorities. Child exploitation, child trafficking or child pornography are
matters of particular concern in this context. Programmes such as Daphne, STOP and AGIS have been
continuously used to financially support exchange and research projects in the areas concerned.

In December 2001, the Commission issued a Communication: ‘Combating trafficking in human beings and
combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography’ (1). Meanwhile, on the basis of
proposals of the Commission, the Council adopted two Framework Decisions on combating trafficking in
human beings (2) and on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (3). In 2002,
the Commission supported the elaboration of the Brussels Declaration on Preventing and Combating
Trafficking in Human Beings. The document contains,
‘inter alia’, specific recommendations concerning
child trafficking. Further to the Brussels Declaration, the Commission set up the Experts Group on
Trafficking in Human Beings that is currently preparing a report aiming at the implementation of the
Brussels Declaration. The Commission intends to issue a Communication and an action plan taking the
findings of the group into due consideration. In this context the problem of child trafficking shall also be
addressed.

Furthermore, the Commission will ensure proper follow-up to the Council Resolution of 2001 on the
contribution of civil society in finding missing or sexually exploited children. As required by the
resolution, a study has been drawn up on the actual extent of the phenomenon of missing and sexually
exploited children as well as on the role of civil society organisations and relevant legal issues. The study
was financed from the STOP and Daphne Programmes and has been carried out and almost finished by the
Belgian organisation Child Focus together with the Ghent University and partner organisations in Member
States and Accession Countries. Once the results have been presented and published, the Commission will
report on them to the Council.

Finally, the Daphne II programme should be adopted during the first half of 2004. It will cover the period
2004-2008 with a budget of EUR 50 million. All new Member States will be able to participate fully in
this programme. Therefore, the Commission is convinced that local organisations from that particular
region will be active in the fight against this phenomenon.

(1) COM(2000) 854 final.
(2) OJ L 203, 1.8.2002.
(3) OJ L 13, 20.1.2004.

(2004/C 78 E/0934)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3933/03

by Samuli Pohjamo (ELDR) and Mikko Pesälä (ELDR) to the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Subject: Recognition of the ergonomic saddle chair in the EU’s chair classifications

Salli Systems, the Finnish manufacturer of saddle chairs, has asked for help in securing recognition for its
product. Salli Systems makes chairs which take account of ergonomics in connection with sedentary work.
The problem is that, according to Salli Systems, standards for chairs do not at present recognise this new
concept, and this is causing difficulties in the marketing of the chair. Salli Systems has requested help in
obtaining recognition of its business idea.

Salli Systems’ saddle chair is ergonomically designed so as to minimise medical problems caused by
sedentary office work. The traditional sitting posture causes disorders because it is not physiologically
appropriate to maintain an angle of approximately 90o between the pelvis and the thighs, and indeed such

27.3.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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an angle is not in fact maintained: when the thighs are horizontal, the pelvis tilts backwards and the back
bends. As a result,
it is difficult to lean actively against a back rest in the orthodox manner and to
concentrate on sedentary work. This is overwhelmingly the most common individual factor behind back
pain. The cost of poor sitting postures is substantial in terms of worsening back pain, tiredness caused by
sitting, and impairment of labour efficiency and productivity.

The requirements of good ergonomics are currently best met by sitting in a rider’s posture, using a saddle
chair. As a result, the thighs open up and are angled approximately 45 o downwards, and the ischia
support the weight of the body without imposing any extra pressure on muscles or ducts. This type of
posture is significantly healthier, more comfortable and safer than the traditional one.

What can the Commission do to promote recognition of this business idea and how can the saddle chair
be incorporated into existing chair classifications and standards?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 February 2004)

It is clearly not within the Commission’s remit to promote particular business ideas. Although ergonomic
chairs can help prevent certain health problems and should therefore be available on the market, it is for
users to choose the type of chairs most adapted to their needs.

As far as classification and standards for chairs are concerned, these are aspects that are better dealt with
by industry itself in the first instance, in particular through voluntary standardisation activities within the
European Standardisation Committee (CEN).

As far as worker protection at the workplace is concerned, Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989
on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (1)
provides that the employer shall take the measures necessary for the safety and health protection of
workers, including prevention of risks.

Moreover, the individual Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990, on the minimum safety and
health requirements for work with display screen equipment (2), establishes that employers are obliged to
perform an analysis of workstations, including work chair,
in order to evaluate the safety and health
conditions. The employer shall take appropriate measures to remedy the risks found, on the basis of the
afore-mentioned evaluation. The same Directive details minimum requirements for work chairs such as
stability, adjustability and comfort.

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989.
(2) OJ L 156, 21.6.1990.

(2004/C 78 E/0935)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3935/03

by Bert Doorn (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2003)

Subject: Court with jurisdiction in international civil and commercial matters under Regulation (EC) No 44/

2001

In its report on civil and commercial matters (Wallis report (cid:1) A5-0253/2003), adopted in plenary on
2 September, the European Parliament urged the Commission to evaluate and, if necessary, propose an
amendment to Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 (1).