WRITTEN QUESTION E-1992/99 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Draft directive on electronic scrap equipment.
1. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 219 E/61 Furthermore, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) now has, under Regulation No 1073/99 (2) of the European Parliament and of the the Council, general powers to protect Communities, whether these consist of funds from the general budget of the Communities or loans granted by the European Investment Bank. the financial interests of (1) OJ L 349, 24. 12. 1998, p. 12. (2) OJ L 136, 31. 5. 1999, p. 1. (2000/C 219 E/072) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1992/99 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Draft directive on electronic scrap equipment ü Given the considerable durability of electrical appliances (5-20 years) the costs of disposal for the dealer are scarcely assessable and hence extremely difficult to calculate. ü This gives the consumer all the more incentive to purchase electrical appliances in a non-Member country in order to evade the take-back surcharge at the time of purchase. Such appliances on take- back are indistinguishable from the others and must therefore be taken back without compensation. ü The obligation to report on the situation with regard to disposal or sale creates extra administrative expense in respect of which no allowance is made. ü Are official importers discriminated against vis-à-vis parallel importers in consequence of the obliga- tion to create a disposal system? In the Commissionís view are these doubts on the part of European wholesalers justified and what assistance if any can the industry expect from the Commission? Answer given by Mr Wallström on behalf of the Commission (21 December 1999) Currently the Commission is preparing legislation concerning the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). At this stage the Commission is discussing the main points of this draft legislation, including the respective responsibilities of manufacturers, importers and other distributors. As a general point, it has to be mentioned that distributors are considered to be producers in the sense of the draft proposal only if they professionally import electrical or electronic equipment into a Member State. The Commission would make some observations on the particular concerns raised by the Honourable Member. It is true that some uncertainties exist as regards future prices for recycling and disposal of electrical and electronic products. However, research on the possible price evolution of these operations indicates that by and large producers could calculate with todayís prices when building reserves for the future management of WEEE. Research also indicates that a disposal fee on the product price would be at such a level that a major shift of consumer habits as regards the purchase of products could not be expected. This assumption takes potential benefits of proximity purchases for the consumer into account. Therefore, purchases by consumers in other Member States induced by disposal fees will be minimal. In this context, it should be mentioned that similar concerns have been voiced as regards an alternative financing system for WEEE, where consumers are charged when disposing of their equipment. Also in these cases consumers might tend to transport end-of-life equipment to third countries for disposal to save the disposal fee or even to dispose of it privately in a way which was not environmentally sound. C 219 E/62 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 importers of equipment from outside the Community over registered Potential advantages for parallel importers or producers constitute problems with regard to the application of the producer responsibility principle and other product related legislation. This issue is one of the points which is currently being discussed within the Commission in the context of the WEEE initiative. One of the problems of European waste management policy is the lack of precise data on quantities of waste generated, recovered and disposed of. These figures are not only crucial in drafting but also in implementing legislation. Clearly, data on these elements have to be delivered by those who are in charge of the respective operations. To what extent producers will have to contribute to these tasks remains to be discussed. (2000/C 219 E/073) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1993/99 by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission (9 November 1999) Subject: Development of the European wholesale industry in the light of the Internet and the Euro The Internet and the Euro facilitate the tightening of the distribution chain. Manufacturers have easier industry, particularly the major chains, and the consumers themselves. The direct access to the retail wholesale industry, after losing on the internal market the customs processing function and, through the Euro, the cash management function is now being deprived by the Internet even of its advance in information expertise over the retail industry. There is therefore a danger that in the next few years the wholesale industry will come under still more pressure between the major manufacturers and the retail industry dominant on the market on account of ever greater concentration. Does the Commission have plans for measures to prevent a further concentration in the industry, what measures are planned in the light of the threat from Internet and the Euro to eliminate small and medium- sized wholesale industry, and how does it view the chances of a sustainable future for such wholesale traders? Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (20 December 1999) The Commission is aware of the changes affecting the wholesale industry and outlined the situation in the White Paper on commerce (1). In the action plan annexed to the White Paper the Commission provided for studies in this field which will be carried out in collaboration with experts in the Member States (2). The Internet facilitates commercial transactions at many levels and for many economic operators, in particular small and medium-sized entreprises (SMEs). This goes for both the small retailer and the wholesaler, who can enter the market and have direct access to producers, suppliers and buyers all over the world, and to the consumer, more easily and more cheaply via electronic networks (Internet, Extranet, Intranet). It is for this reason that the Commission encourages SMEs to participate in the information society and electronic commerce through its policies and activities in this field with respect to both legislation (e. g. the proposal for a directive on certain legal aspects of electronic commerce) and research, training and the dissemination of knowledge and better practice. With access to an international electronic market and the use of new technologies which combine information, commerce and distribution any trader can increase his outlets all over the world, extend his range of offers or target specialised markets. The introduction of the euro simplifies financial management at all points of the distribution chain. The exchange risk and uncertainty linked with monetary fluctuations are eliminated, so businesses make substantial savings. The Commission is keeping a very close eye on the development of commerce in Europe. The application of Community rules governing merger control is a way of limiting the excessive concentration to which the Honourable Member refers. Moreover, competition policy has a positive approach with respect to SMEs and the Commissionís notice on agreements of minor importance (3) and the draft exemption regulation relating to vertical agreements (4) take account of their specific nature and requirements