91997E3751

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3751/97 by Florus Wijsenbeek (ELDR) to the Commission (21 November 1997)

Subject: The Austrian ecopoint system

Is the Commission aware that there are problems with the introduction of the electronic ecopoint system in Austria, as a result of which Dutch hauliers will face difficulties next year because of a shortage of the old eco-vouchers?

Can the Commission say how it is kept abreast of developments in Austria's electronic ecopoint system?

If so, will the Commission take measures to reduce to a minimum the adverse impact of the Austrian system on Dutch hauliers, bearing in mind, inter alia, that the Dutch licensing authority (NIWO) is having to invest in a new computer system and it is anticipated that the Austrian ecopoint system will cease to exist on 1 January 2001?

Is the Commission aware whether and how the Member States of the European Union are kept informed of developments with regard to Austria's electronic ecopoint system?

If so, does the Commission know what reactions there have been in other EU Member States to the problems associated with the introduction of this electronic ecopoint system?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (21 January 1998)

The Commission has been regularly kept informed by the responsible Austrian ministry - the Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft und Verkehr - about progress with the installation of the electronic ecopoint system. The latest information was given to the Commission on 10 November 1997 when the Austrian authorities confirmed that the new system would be fully operational, as scheduled, on 1 January 1998.

As far as the impact that the system will have on Dutch hauliers is concerned, the Honourable Member is reminded that the ecopoint system will only cease to exist on 1 January 2001 if the aim of the system - a 60 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by trucks transiting Austria - has already been achieved on a sustainable basis by that date. If this target is not achieved the system will continue until 31 December 2003.

The Commission would like to point out that no investments in new computer systems are required as a result of the electronic ecopoint system. The system has been designed in such a way that each Member State needs no more than a standard office personal computer and an Internet connection.

Member States have been kept informed of developments through the meetings of the Ecopoint Management Committee which has met on average 3-4 times per year.

Certain Member States have expressed concerns about switching from the bureaucratic and inadequate paper-based ecopoint system to a telematics-based electronic system. However, the Honourable Member is reminded that Member States voted unanimously in favour of this system when the issue was discussed in detail during the Austrian accession negotiations.