WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2040/97 by David BOWE to the Commission. Cigarette lighters
10. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 45/147 As certain areas generate more projects than others, some exceed their budgets while others are left with surplus resources. Will the Commission approve an amendment to the programme to allow appropriations to be transferred between areas of action on the basis of currently established requirements? Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (4 July 1997) The rules on assistance under the Structural Funds provide for the possibility of making changes to such assistance on condition that the changes are justified and accepted by the monitoring committee concerned. At its meeting on 2 June 1997 the Monitoring Committee for the Interreg II programme for the central and southern Upper Rhine decided to propose to the Commission a change involving the transfer of Community funds between areas of activity. The Commission is currently studying this proposal and will take a decision on it when the time comes. (98/C 45/191) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2040/97 by David Bowe (PSE) to the Commission (13 June 1997) Subject: Cigarette lighters Does the Commission intend to introduce legislation to improve safety standards for cigarette lighters sold in the European Union, in line with measures introduced in other countries such as the USA. If not, why not? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (16 July 1997) The problem of incidents and accidents involving lighters has been drawn to the attention of the Commission. It is clear that the existing standards for lighters do not give a sufficient level of safety. The Commission has therefore already started work on a proposal for a mandate to European committee for standardisation (CEN) to improve the safety requirements in the relevant standards. The proposal for a mandate will most likely be submitted to the Member States for approval by the committee under Directive 83/189/EEC (1), laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations at the first meeting after the summer this year. If the mandate is approved by Member States and CEN it will provide for the elaboration of a standard containing higher levels of requirements. This standard will be applied by Member States under Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety (2). This solution makes it possible to increase the level of safety without new Community legislation. (1) OJ L 109, 26. 4. 1983. (2) OJ L 228, 11. 8. 1992. (98/C 45/192) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2041/97 by Bill Miller (PSE) to the Commission (13 June 1997) Subject: Charitable status Has the Commission any plans to introduce EU-wide legislation on the criteria for charitable status?