WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/04 by Michel Hansenne (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Lift safety.
Date: 2004-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, lift, safety standard, technical regulations

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/673

(2004/C 84 E/0759)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0796/04

by Michel Hansenne (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Lift safety

The European Committee for Standardisation has produced a safety norm for existing lifts, the SNEL.
This standard helps countries identify the risks of existing lifts and legislate to improve their safety.
Recommendation 95/216/EC (1) accompanying Directive 95/16/EC (2) obviously does not mention this new
norm. In view of the number of fatal accidents that have occurred in recent years and as some countries
have enacted legislation in this sphere or are in the process of doing so, it would appear to be essential to
update the recommendation. This would help policy-makers determine the most appropriate measures to
take to minimise the risks linked to existing lifts in compliance with Norm EN 81-80, which was ratified
on 3 November 2003.

Can the Commission give an undertaking that the recommendation will be updated?

(1) OJ L 134, 20.6.1995, p. 37.
(2) OJ L 213, 7.9.1995, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(19 April 2004)

Commission Recommendation 95/216/EC of 8 June 1995 (1) concerns existing lifts, i.e. lifts installed before
the entry into force of the lifts Directive 95/16/EC (2). This recommendation calls on Member States to take
all necessary action on their territory to ensure a satisfactory level of maintenance for existing lifts and to
improve the safety of those lifts.

The European Committee for Standardisation has recently adopted a new standard, EN 81-80, which
concerns improving the safety of existing lifts. Even though this standard does not have the same status as
the harmonised standards adopted under Directive 95/16/EC, it provides advice and information which
will certainly be of great value for all parties concerned in the implementation of Recommendation
95/216/EC. The Commission will closely examine the possibility of updating its recommendation to
include a reference to the new standard. The Commission will inform the Honourable Member of the
decision taken following this examination.

(1) OJ L 134, 20.6.1995.
(2) European Parliament and Council Directive 95/16/CEC of 29 June 1995 on the approximation of the laws of the

Member States relating to lifts, OJ L 213, 7.9.1995.

(2004/C 84 E/0760)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0802/04

by Jan Mulder (ELDR) to the Commission

(11 March 2004)

Subject: Unfair competition as a result of major differences in charges made for rendering

The Netherlands Agriculture Minister recently sent an overview of rendering charges to the Netherlands
Second Chamber (23 February 2004). The overview shows that there are substantial differences between
the Member States as regards the charges made for rendering and associated costs.

Is the Commission aware of the great differences between the Member States as regards the rendering

1.
charges which are paid by farmers?