WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3005/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. European legislation on reducing air pollution and safeguarding the quality of life in cities
C 134/54 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 30. 4. 98 Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (18 November 1997) The Commission has not received any complaints concerning the purchase of buses by CO. TRA. L. The Honourable Member is asked to send the Commission the evidence she has indicating a possible infringement of Community public procurement legislation. A difference between the market price and the price paid in the case in question does not in itself constitute an infringement of that legislation. Under the circumstances, the Commission does not consider that it can comment on the case. (98/C 134/66) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3005/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (1 October 1997) Subject: European legislation on reducing air pollution and safeguarding the quality of life in cities In its answer to Written Question E-1673/97 (1) the Commission said that on the basis of Directive 96/62/EC (2) it would draw up new proposals on air quality and the quality of life in the urban environment. It also referred to a new strategy adopted by the Commission on 18 June 1996 in order to reduce pollution caused by vehicles. In view of this, can the Commission say: 1. what the practical arrangements and timetable are for the formulation of the Commissionís proposals on the basis of Directive 96/62/EC; 2. what in essence are the main features of the new strategy it adopted in June 1996 and what official documents can be referred to in this connection? (1) OJ C 45, 10. 2. 1998, p. 78. (2) OJ L 296, 21. 11. 1996, p. 55 Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (7 November 1997) A proposal for a Council Directive relating to the establishment of limit values for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen 1. dioxide, particulate matter and lead was adopted on 8 October 1997 (1). 2. The strategy which the Commission adopted on 18 June 1996 for controlling atmospheric emissions from road transport (2) can be traced back to the results of the Auto/Oil programme. The aim is to improve air quality in the Community in the run-up to 2010 by reducing pollutant emissions by between 60 and 70% compared with 1996, using an integrated, balanced and cost-effective approach. In this context, and as part of the strategy, two legislative proposals have been adopted to improve petrol and diesel fuels (3) and set stricter standards for passenger cars† (and for light commercial vehicles) by the year 2000. Parliament held its first reading on the two proposals on 10 April 1997 and the Council reached a common position on them on 7 October 1997. (1) COM(97) 500. (2) COM(96) 248. (3) COM(97) 271