91997E4131

WRITTEN QUESTION P-4131/97 by Wayne David (PSE) to the Commission (5 January 1998)

Subject: Protection of children

Can the Commission indicate if it plans to introduce any initiatives to protect children from accidents?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998)

In addressing the general problem of child safety, the Community has already put in place a regulatory framework designed to ensure a rapid, reasonable and consistent response to the problems encountered.

On the one hand, there are specific harmonised rules for certain products (such as toys ((Directive 88/378/EEC, OJ L 187, 16.7.1988. )) and dangerous imitations of foodstuffs ((Directive 87/357/EEC, OJ L 192, 11.7.1987. ))) and, on the other, horizontal rules designed to create a genuine general safety requirement applicable to consumer products, focusing notably on the safety of products intended for children (the Directive on general product safety ((Directive 92/59/EEC, OJ L 228, 11.8.1992. ))) and professional liability (the Directive on liability for defective products ((Directive 85/374/EEC, OJ L 210, 7.8.1985. ))).

In the case of certain categories of products that present particular safety problems, the Commission regularly issues standardisation mandates to the European standardisation bodies. For example, in 1997 accidents involving children prompted the Commission to issue mandates on decorative oil lamps and childcare articles.

In parallel, on 14 May 1997 the Commission adopted a Communication on injury prevention and a Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision ((OJ C 202, 2.7.1997. )) adopting a programme of Community action from 1999 to 2003 on injury prevention in the context of the framework for action in the field of public health. This proposal is now being examined by Parliament and Council in the framework of the co-decision procedure.

One of the programme's objectives is to contribute to public health activities which seek to reduce the incidence of injury in home, school and leisure accidents, mainly involving children and young adults, by promoting the more effective dissemination and application of prevention techniques whose worth is widely accepted by experts.

Moreover, Ehlass (the European Home and Leisure Accidents Surveillance System) sets out precise guidelines and actions at Community level.

Apart from legislation, measures are also taken in the field of information, prevention and education. Likewise, Commission-subsidised awareness-raising and information campaigns may also be mounted in the Member States.