91997E4029

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4029/97 by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission (14 January 1998)

Subject: Securing of lorry loads

Does the Commission believe that there is a case for European legislation governing the securing of lorry loads generally, or does the Commission believe that, while such EU legislation exists for dangerous goods, it can be left to national authorities to introduce and implement such general safety measures for the securing of lorry loads as they deem necessary according to national law?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

There are limitless ways to load vehicles and an infinite number of types and shapes of objects to load on to vehicles. The Commission consequently considers that Community legislation on this matter would either be so general to cover all options as to be of little effective value, or so detailed as to require thousands of pages of law. The Commission does not, therefore, intend to compile proposals for such legislation.

The Commission is not aware of grounds for questioning the adequacy of national legislation on the securing of loads on lorries and there are no current plans for Commission action on this matter. Naturally, there is continuing need for proper application and effective enforcement of the national laws that are relevant to such matters.