92002E0037

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0037/02

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(23 January 2002)

Subject: Regulation governing ski instructors in Italy

The long-awaited regulation which, under the agreements reached between the Commission, a number of alpine countries and national ski instructors' associations, is to govern tests for the recognition of the qualifications of ski instructors wishing to establish themselves in Italy, and to lay down rules governing the free provision of such services, is still under preparation at the Italian Ministry for Community Affairs. Can the Commission provide information on the delays that have occurred in Italy in this area?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2002)

The agreement to which the Honourable Member refers was concluded, under the aegis of the Commission, between ten professional ski instructors' associations on 28 March 2000. The Commission and the alpine countries are not signatories to this agreement. Consequently, Italy is in no way required to incorporate the provisions of that agreement into its national legislation. Italy is only required to observe the provisions of Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC(1). However, it is our understanding that the Italian authorities have accepted the above-mentioned agreement on an informal basis. Moreover, to date, we have not received any complaint from ski instructors from other Member States who have encountered difficulties in exercising their profession in Italy.

(1) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.