WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission. Emergency phone number in the EU.
C 46 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 Reply (10 July 2000) In accordance with the provisions of Article 203 of the EC Treaty, the Council shall consist of a representative of each Member State at ministerial level authorised to commit the government of that Member State. Accordingly, it is for each Member State to determine how and by whom it is represented in Fisheries Council meetings. (2001/C 46 E/173) WRITTEN QUESTION P-1233/00 by Rosemarie Müller (PSE) to the Commission (10 April 2000) Subject: Emergency phone number in the EU From one Member State to another in the European Union there are differing telephone numbers which may be called in an emergency. This actually means that few people know the relevant emergency number when staying in other Member States. The example of the USA shows how a single emergency number can simplify the calling of assistance. With this in mind: 1. How does the Commission view the fact that there are differing emergency numbers in the countries of the European Union? 2. Does the Commission agree that a single EU-wide emergency number would help improve the effectiveness of assistance in emergencies? 3. Does the Commission have any plans to introduce a single EU-wide emergency number? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (3 May 2000) Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991, on the introduction of a single European emergency call number (1) requires the Member States to ensure that the number 112í is introduced in public telephone networks, ISDN networks and public mobile services. However it does not mandate its exclusive use but allows existing emergency call numbers to continue in parallel. In addition, the Voice Telephony Directive 98/10/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 1998 on the application of open network provision (ONP) to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment (2) guarantees that users of fixed and mobile phones, including public payphones, can access the 112 emergency service free of charge. Although the Decision specified an introduction date of 31 December 1992, it allowed for derogations until 31 December 1996 in case of technical, financial, geographical or organisational difficulties. In the meantime, 112í is available free of charge from fixed and mobile phones and from public payphones in all Member States except Greece against which infringement proceedings have been opened. Several Member States have adopted 112í as the unique national emergency number and several major information campaigns have been funded with a view to develop its use both nationally and when travelling in the Community. Moreover, although not required by the Decision, in several Member States, calls are answered in several languages when necessary. Details can be found in a report dated January 1999 published by the Commission, available on the Internet at: http://www. ispo. cec. be/infosoc/telecompolicy/en/comm-en. htm. 13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/151 In the light of further European integration with the increased travel for leisure or in conjunction with cross-border economic activity, the issue is important from a general societal point of view and manifests a good example of a Community measure that directly benefits the citizens of Europe. The Commission shares the view that the common emergency number helps improve the effectiveness of providing emergency assistance in the Community. the Commission has proposed in the 1999 review To strengthen further the current communication (3) location data of callers in distress are passed on to the emergency service authorities, in both fixed and mobile networks. This will be one important aspect of the forthcoming review of the Communityís telecommunications policy. framework, that The common emergency number is an assurance for all 380 million Community citizens and for travellers from abroad that they can call for assistance whenever they are in an emergency or life-threatening situation. The guaranteed availability throughout the Community on fixed and mobile networks, the ability to make emergency calls free of charge and the ability to provide location data of users in an emergency are key issues. (1) OJ L 217, 6. 8. 1991. (2) OJ L 101, 1. 4. 1998. (3) COM(1999) 539 final. (2001/C 46 E/174) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1238/00 by Karin Scheele (PSE) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Legal classification of tattooing dyes The number of Europeans having themselves tattooed has been growing year by year. Tattooing involves among other things the use of azocolourants. In the Commission proposal amending for the nineteenth time Council Directive 76/769/EEC (1) relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (azocolourants) that applies to textiles and leather goods, the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment voices its concern that, on breakdown, azocolourants form amines that are classified as carcinogenic. In view of this possible health hazard, a legal basis is also required for azocolourants used in tattooing. Have studies dealing with the health risks of tattooing dyes already been carried out or are there 1. plans to do so? 2. Can the Commission name legal bases that include tattooing dyes in their field of application? If not, is it making preparations to provide at a future date a legal classification for tattooing dyes? 3. Will azocolourants be covered at the same time? (1) OJ L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 201. Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission (13 June 2000) 1. The Commission is not aware of toxicological or epidemiological studies to specifically assess the health safety risks from the use of certain dyes in tattooing. Adverse effects of tattoos are well known. However the evidence is stronger for those effects arising from the tattooing procedures themselves (e. g. transmission of infectious diseases from non-sterile equipment, scarring) and less convincing for possible adverse effects arising from the tattooing dyes