WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/133 (2000/C 219 E/165) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2267/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission (24 November 1999) Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports What actions has the Commission taken or will be taking to ensure that all International Airports within Member Statesí territory are secure from the threat of the so-called Millennium Bugí? (2000/C 219 E/166) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2303/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports (13 December 1999) Is the Commission satisfied that the safety and security of EU travellers is protected at international airports from the threat of what is referred to as the Millennium Bugí? (2000/C 219 E/167) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2304/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports Will the Commission publish any Commission reports on the threat to equipment at international airports caused by what is referred to as the Millennium Bugí? (2000/C 219 E/168) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2305/99 by SIR Robert Atkins (PPE-DE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: The problems of the Millennium Bug at airports How many international airports with the EU have complied with the adjustments required to avoid damage, danger or delay to passengers and freight caused by what is referred to as the Millennium Bugí? Joint answer to Written Questions P-2267/99, E-2303/99, E-2304/99 and E-2305/99 given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1999) The role of the Commission in the domain of air transport and airports, as is the case with other sectors where the year 2000 (Y2K) issue is relevant, is essentially to facilitate the dissemination of information. In the primary accordance with existing national competence and with the principle of subsidiarity, responsibility for addressing the Y2K problem as regards airports falls upon the airport authorities and the national civil aviation authorities. Safety regulations are internationally agreed on a worldwide basis and the Member States have the responsibility to ensure compliance with rules and regulations applicable to airports. A number of international organisations have their own role to play in accordance with their own responsibilities. C 219 E/134 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 The International civil aviation organisation (ICAO) has developed Y2K assessment criteria covering air traffic services, airports and aircraft operators, and invited its Member States to perform a critical Y2K compliance assessment and provide appropriate information on the compliance status of their respective services. This information is made available to authorised officials, and ICAO has presented a publicly available global Y2K readiness status report. Eurocontrol is focusing particularly on the development of contingency plans. In co-operation with ICAO, Eurocontrol is setting up a European regional Y2K co-ordination unit for collection and dissemination of information to the countries of the region, with a view to permitting corrective actions of operational contingency measures to overcome potential disruptions of air traffic systems. This unit will be located in the central flow management unit of Eurocontrol in Brussels, where it will operate on 31 December 1999 and 1 January 2000. Complementing the ICAO initiative, the European civil aviation conference (ECAC) has examined the legal aspects of eventual courses of action considered in connection with Y2K readiness, and regarding limitations of operations in cases where there is no information on compliance status, or there is reason to suspect non compliance. A common approach has been developed for addressing states where information provided is considered inadequate, with a view to resolving outstanding issues. The situation will be examined in the very near future and, if necessary, appropriate action will be considered. The International air transport association (IATA), with which the Airports council international (ACI) has focusing on raising cooperated, has developed the Y2K industry project established in June 1998, awareness, strengthening industry co-operation, collecting Y2K readiness information, and promoting contingency planning. Through IATA the airlines have implemented a programme that includes air traffic systems and airports, aircraft, engine and avionics manufacturers. On the basis of the information and reports received, for example the reports from the representatives of international governmental and industry organisations at a Workshop organised by the Commission on 29-30 September 1999, the Commission considers that the aviation industry is well advanced in its preparations to combat potential problems in European countries, in accordance with plans aiming at achieving compliance and providing for contingencies that may arise. Such plans cover immediate safety concerns satisfactorily. However the possibility of capacity constraints in the days after the roll over cannot be excluded. More specifically as regards international airports in the Member States, the information available indicates that thorough and comprehensive programmes to identify and remedy potential Y2K problems have been implemented or are scheduled for completion in time for the rollover. It may also be mentioned that, as requested by the European Council in Cologne, a high level working party on the millennium date change has been established by the Commission in July 1999. It has been holding monthly meetings and will continue during the remainder of this year to address various aspects of the Y2K problem at Community level. (2000/C 219 E/169) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Dangers arising from the use of medical equipment made from PVC with a large DEHP content Following the withdrawal of toys manufactured from PVC, Greenpeace has now drawn attention to the very frequent use in hospitals of medical equipment such as flasks containing blood, serum or nutrients for parenteral administration, made from the same substance with a DEHP content 800 times the admissible limit