WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3974/97 by Anneli HULTHÉN to the Commission. Warning system for dangerous products
16. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187/105 The implementation by Member States of surveillance measures required under Directive 96/23/EC on measures to monitor substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC (1), together with severe penalisation of offenders, should in the medium term result in a big drop in the number of cases of illegal use of these banned substances. (1) OJ L 25, 23. 5. 1996. (98/C 187/158) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3974/97 by Anneli Hulthe·n (PSE) to the Commission (12 December 1997) Subject: Warning system for dangerous products Within the European Union there is a system for the exchange of information on dangerous products, RAPEX. Unfortunately there is no obligation to report dangerous products discovered on the market, nor their names. Does the Commission regard this as a satisfactory situation for consumers? If not, what does it contemplate doing to improve the situation? Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (27 January 1998) The Community system for the rapid exchange of information on dangers arising from the use of consumer products (RAPEX), set up by Council Decision 84/133/EEC and now integrated into Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety (1), is a general and horizontal early warning and monitoring system designed to help Member States in handling urgent situations. Its essential aim is to provide information on all available details of the product, the danger involved, and the measures decided by the notifying Member State, to public authorities responsible for the protection of their citizens in order to allow them to take immediate and appropriate action when a grave and immediate risk arising from a consumer product has been detected by one of them. The measures adopted and notified through the system often consist in the publication of warnings or in other arrangements to ensure that those who might be exposed to a risk from a product are informed in good time of such a risk. The measures adopted or decided by Member States against a dangerous product are administrative decisions which normally are published also at the national level. Nevertheless, the Commission agrees that the system needs to be revised in order to improve its efficiency and to introduce more transparency in its functioning. This is one of the elements to be considered when defining the proposals for the modification of Directive 92/59/EEC that the Commission will present in the second half of next year. (1) OJ 228, 11. 8. 1992. (98/C 187/159) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3976/97 by Xaver Mayer (PPE) to the Commission (9 December 1997) Subject: Sale of propolis (bee glue) Propolis is described in the medical literature as a natural substance used to boost the bodyís own immune system. It is used as a raw material in the manufacture of medicines