92000E0356

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0356/00

by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: European list of occupational diseases

The European list of occupational diseases, which is supposed to be open-ended, should take into account the new risks related to insecurity, the pace of modern life, constant changes in people's jobs and working environments, and technological development, which all have psychosomatic effects (commonly referred to as stress) on the quality of life and health of workers.

In the light of various studies on the subject, will the Commission state to what extent this list of occupational diseases and new risks has been updated in recent years?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 2000)

The European schedule of occupational diseases was adopted in the form of Commission Recommendation No 90/326/EEC of 22 May 1990(1).

On 20 September 1996 the Commission produced a Communication(2) examining the extent to which the Recommendation on the European schedule of occupational diseases had been implemented in the Member States.

In 1999 the Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, embarked on technical studies with a view to updating the aforementioned European schedule. Particular attention is being paid to the emergent risks to workers' health, such as psychosocial risks.

Once this work has been completed, the new European schedule of occupational diseases is expected to be adopted in the first half of 2001.

(1) OJ L 160, 26.6.1990.

(2) COM(96) 454 final.