title: QUESTION ÉCRITE E-1242/00 posée par Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) à la Commission. La directive sur le temps de travail et les enseignants.

eurovoc_concepts:
EC Directive
United Kingdom
application of EU law
teacher
working time

formats: html pdf print

text: C 46 E/154 Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes FR 13. 2. 2001 ConformØment aux articles 16(2) et 17 de la directive, la pØriode de rØfØrence sur la base de laquelle la moyenne doit Œtre calculØe peut varier de 4 (cid:224) 12 mois en fonction de la situation et des moyens utilisØs pour fixer la pØriode de rØfØrence. Ces dispositions doivent Œtre transposØes en droit national par les (cid:201)tats membres. Il incombe aux autoritØs des (cid:201)tats membres de veiller (cid:224) ce que la lØgislation nationale transposant le droit communautaire soit appliquØe et respectØe. (1) JO L 307 du 13. 12. 1993. (2001/C 46 E/177) QUESTION (cid:201)CRITE E-1242/00 posØe par Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) (cid:224) la Commission Objet: La directive sur le temps de travail et les enseignants (14 avril 2000) La Commission voudrait-elle indiquer si la directive sur le temps de travail s(cid:146)applique aux enseignants? Pourrait-elle fournir des prØcisions en ce qui concerne les dispositions de cette directive applicables au secteur de l(cid:146)enseignement au Royaume-Uni? RØponse donnØe par Mme Diamantopoulou au nom de la Commission (8 juin 2000) L(cid:146)article 1er, paragraphe 3, de la directive 93/104/CE du Conseil concernant certains aspects de l(cid:146)amØnage- ment du temps de travail (directive «temps de travail») (1) dispose que «la prØsente directive s(cid:146)applique (cid:224) tous les secteurs d(cid:146)activitØs, privØs ou publics, au sens de l(cid:146)article 2 de la directive 89/391/CE, sans prØjudice de l(cid:146)article 17 de la prØsente directive, (cid:224) l(cid:146)exception des transports aØriens, ferroviaires, routiers, maritimes, fluviaux et lacustres, de la pŒche maritime, d(cid:146)autres activitØs en mer et des activitØs des mØdecins en formation». L(cid:146)article 2 de la directive 89/391/CE du Conseil concernant la mise en (cid:156)uvre de mesures visant (cid:224) promouvoir l(cid:146)amØlioration de la sØcuritØ et de la santØ des travailleurs au travail (2) prØvoit que «la prØsente directive s(cid:146)applique (cid:224) tous les secteurs d(cid:146)activitØs, privØs ou publics (activitØs industrielles, agricoles, commerciales, administratives, de service, Øducatives, culturelles, de loisirs, etc. ). La prØsente directive n(cid:146)est pas applicable lorsque des particularitØs inhØrentes (cid:224) certaines activitØs spØcifiques dans la fonction publique, par exemple dans les forces armØes ou la police, ou (cid:224) certaines activitØs spØcifiques dans les services de protection civile s(cid:146)y opposent de maniŁre contraignante. Dans ce cas, il y a lieu de veiller (cid:224) ce que la sØcuritØ et la santØ des travailleurs soient assurØes, dans toute la mesure du possible, compte tenu des objectifs de la prØsente directive». De ces deux dispositions, il ressort clairement que la directive «temps de travail» s(cid:146)applique au travail des enseignants. D(cid:146)aprŁs les informations dont la Commission dispose, le rŁglement de 1998 (Statutory Instruments 1998 no 1833), qui met en (cid:156)uvre la directive «temps de travail» au Royaume-Uni, s(cid:146)applique au travail des enseignants. (1) (2) JO L 307 du 13. 12. 1993. JO L 183 du 29. 6. 1989


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1245/00 de Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) a la Comisión. Línea ferroviaria Turín-Lyon.

eurovoc_concepts:
Alpine Region
France
Italy
common transport policy
rail transport

text: C 53 E/112 Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas ES 20. 2. 2001 Respuesta del Comisario Solbes Mira en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (12 de mayo de 2000) La postura de la Comisi(cid:243)n sobre la situaci(cid:243)n de Suecia con respecto al Tratado CE no ha cambiado. La situaci(cid:243)n de Suecia en relaci(cid:243)n con la Uni(cid:243)n Econ(cid:243)mica y Monetaria es, actualmente, la de un Estado miembro acogido a una excepci(cid:243)n. En el informe de convergencia de 1998 se afirmaba que Suecia y Grecia cumpl(cid:237)an las condiciones necesarias para adaptar la moneda œnica y por lo tanto se hace referencia a ellos como Estados miembros acogidos a una excepci(cid:243)n. Un nuevo informe de convergencia para Suecia y Grecia se publicarÆ en mayo del 2000. El apartado 2 del art(cid:237)culo 122 (antiguo art(cid:237)culo 109K) del Tratado CE fija las disposiciones y procedimientos para reexaminar la situaci(cid:243)n de los Estados miembros en esta situaci(cid:243)n. Una vez cada dos aæos, como m(cid:237)nimo, o a petici(cid:243)n de cualquier Estado miembro acogido a una excepci(cid:243)n, la Comisi(cid:243)n y el Banco Central Europeo (BCE) deben elaborar nuevos informes de convergencia sobre tales Estados miembros. Otros dos Estados miembros, Dinamarca y el Reino Unido, todav(cid:237)a no participan en el euro pues negociaron acuerdos en este sentido antes de la adopci(cid:243)n del Tratado de la Uni(cid:243)n Europea (protocolos no 26 (antiguo 12) y 25 (antiguo 11)). Hasta que estos Estados miembros no indiquen que desean participar en la tercera etapa para unirse a la moneda œnica, no estÆn sujetos a una evaluaci(cid:243)n por el Consejo para ver si cumplen las condiciones necesarias. (2001/C 53 E/142) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1245/00 de Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (14 de abril de 2000) Asunto: L(cid:237)nea ferroviaria Tur(cid:237)n-Lyon El 21 de febrero de 2000, la Direcci(cid:243)n General de Energ(cid:237)a y Transportes de la Comisi(cid:243)n comunic(cid:243), mediante carta dirigida por el Director, Sr. Fran(cid:231)ois Lamoureux, al Sr. Bruno Bottiglieri, Secretario General del ComitØ promotor de la l(cid:237)nea ferroviaria europea Lyon-Tur(cid:237)n-MilÆn/GØnova-Venecia-Trieste-Liubliana, su apoyo al anÆlisis de las ventajas que ofrece el proyecto en tØrminos de capacidad, seguridad y confiabilidad. A la vista de que, a pesar de los mÆs de 60 M€ concedidos por la Comunidad en el decenio pasado al eje alpino Tur(cid:237)n-Lyon, dicho proyecto no tiene un futuro cierto y establecido, ¿puede hacer saber la Comisi(cid:243)n quØ acciones ha emprendido para alcanzar una clara decisi(cid:243)n pol(cid:237)tica, durante el aæo en curso, sobre las pr(cid:243)ximas etapas de ejecuci(cid:243)n del proyecto e informar acerca de las responsabilidades y el nivel de participaci(cid:243)n del ministerio competente y de las Regiones y entidades locales italianas de cara a la realizaci(cid:243)n de la directriz ferroviaria Lyon-Tur(cid:237)n-MilÆn-Liubliana? Respuesta de la Sra. de Palacio en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (25 de mayo de 2000) En opini(cid:243)n de la Comisi(cid:243)n, el objetivo principal a corto plazo para acelerar la realizaci(cid:243)n del proyecto Lyon-Tur(cid:237)n-MilÆn-Venecia-Trieste-(Liubliana) es que se llegue a una decisi(cid:243)n pol(cid:237)tica sobre la construcci(cid:243)n del tramo internacional transalpino. En la cumbre franco-italiana celebrada en N(cid:238)mes en 1999, los dos Gobiernos se comprometieron a tomar una decisi(cid:243)n definitiva sobre la construcci(cid:243)n del tœnel internacional del «Mont Cenis» en el otoæo de 2000. La Comisi(cid:243)n continuarÆ exhortando a ambos Estados miembros a que alcancen un resultado positivo a este respecto y a que hagan declaraciones acordes sobre la planificaci(cid:243)n de los tramos adyacentes Lyon-St. Jean-de-Maurienne en Francia y valle de Susa-Tur(cid:237)n en Italia. La decisi(cid:243)n sobre el tœnel debe tomarse sobre una base s(cid:243)lida. La Comisi(cid:243)n, por lo tanto, espera que los resultados de los estudios ambientales, econ(cid:243)micos y tØcnicos emprendidos por el grupo de interØs econ(cid:243)mico internacional «Alpetunnel» se conozcan a tiempo durante el verano de 2000. 20. 2. 2001 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 53 E/113 Es importante no prejuzgar los resultados finales de los estudios descritos anteriormente. Sin embargo, la Comisi(cid:243)n ha apoyado estos estudios y las actividades asociadas basÆndose en que el proyecto es claramente viable desde un punto de vista socioecon(cid:243)mico y en que contribuirÆ sustancialmente a reequilibrar la distribuci(cid:243)n del trÆfico alpino entre los diversos modos de transporte, lo que, a su vez, ayudarÆ a disminuir los problemas de seguridad, medio ambiente y la congesti(cid:243)n actual del trÆfico transalpino. En lo que respecta a los progresos por parte italiana, la Comisi(cid:243)n toma nota con agrado del compromiso de las autoridades italianas respecto a la realizaci(cid:243)n de los tramos clave. En especial, por lo que se refiere al tramo Tur(cid:237)n-Trieste (460 km nuevos que ampl(cid:237)an este tramo a 4 v(cid:237)as), ya se han empezado las obras de algunos nudos clave y sus v(cid:237)as de acceso. EstÆ previsto que las obras de los tramos Tur(cid:237)n-MilÆn y Padua- Mestre comiencen en 2000/2001 y que la inauguraci(cid:243)n sea hacia 2006. La Comisi(cid:243)n estÆ dispuesta a desempeæar un papel activo en la organizaci(cid:243)n y la coordinaci(cid:243)n de las conversaciones sobre el desarrollo y la financiaci(cid:243)n de esos proyectos, una vez que se hayan tomado las decisiones pol(cid:237)ticas necesarias, ya sean las conversaciones a nivel internacional o nacional, o bien a nivel regional o local. En lo que respecta a la financiaci(cid:243)n del tramo internacional, la Comisi(cid:243)n es particular- mente consciente de la necesidad de tener en cuenta las sugerencias de algunas regiones con respecto al recurso a asociaciones pœblico-privadas y a la necesidad de estudiar las repercusiones de la pol(cid:237)tica de fijaci(cid:243)n de precios de la infraestructura en posibles fuentes de ingresos. (2001/C 53 E/143) PREGUNTA ESCRITA E-1258/00 de Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) a la Comisi(cid:243)n (19 de abril de 2000) Asunto: Ejercicio de influencia sobre los pacientes por parte de la industria farmacØutica con publicidad il(cid:237)cita para medicamentos con receta mØdica 1. ¿EstÆ al corriente la Comisi(cid:243)n de la informaci(cid:243)n aparecida en la prensa neerlandesa (diario Trouw del 31. 3. 2000) segœn la cual, de los datos del organismo de inspecci(cid:243)n publicitaria se desprende que la industria farmacØutica en los Pa(cid:237)ses Bajos incumple a gran escala la normativa comunitaria en materia de publicidad para los medicamentos con receta mØdica? 2. En dicha informaci(cid:243)n se habla de «enormes abusos», especialmente en lo referente al incumplimiento de la normativa en relaci(cid:243)n con la publicidad dirigida directamente al consumidor para los medicamentos con receta. ¿No considera la Comisi(cid:243)n que esta forma de publicidad debe ser prohibida y combatida con firmeza? 3. Como ejemplo concreto se cita el caso del medicamento Xenical de la casa Roche. ¿EstÆ dispuesta la Comisi(cid:243)n a iniciar una investigaci(cid:243)n sobre las campaæas publicitarias de dicha empresa dirigidas a los pacientes? 4. ¿EstÆ dispuesta la Comisi(cid:243)n a que la normativa de la Uni(cid:243)n Europea, en la que se proh(cid:237)be la publicidad dirigida directamente a los pacientes y en la que se prevØn posibilidades de sanciones para estas empresas, se aplique y se cumpla realmente? Respuesta del Sr. Liikanen en nombre de la Comisi(cid:243)n (14 de junio de 2000) La Comisi(cid:243)n no ha sido informada directamente de los datos publicados en la prensa neerlandesa. La Directiva 92/28/CEE (1) relativa a la publicidad de los medicamentos para uso humano estipula en su Cap(cid:237)tulo II sobre publicidad destinada al pœblico que Østa deberÆ prohibirse para los medicamentos que s(cid:243)lo pueden dispensarse por prescripci(cid:243)n facultativa. Corresponde a los Estados miembros garantizar el control del mercado en materia de publicidad, de conformidad con las disposiciones de esta Directiva. Asimismo, les corresponde determinar las sanciones aplicables en caso de infracci(cid:243)n


title: SKRIFTLIG FORESPØRGSEL E-1214/00 af Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) til Kommissionen. Parlamentariske forespørgsler vedrørende Van Buitenen.

eurovoc_concepts:
European official
administrative sanction
fraud against the EU
written question

text: 6. 3. 2001 DA De Europ(cid:230)iske F(cid:230)llesskabers Tidende C 72 E/29 Den fłrste aktivitet er en nłgleaktion, der vedrłrer »cellen som fabrik«. Sigtet er at n(cid:229) frem til forbedret, sikker og effektiv fremstilling af l(cid:230)gemiddelstoffer. Siget med den anden aktivitet, der er af bredspekteret art, er at vurdere de forskellige behandlingsformer i hospitalsmiljłet p(cid:229) grundlag af kliniske undersłgelser i stor m(cid:229)lestok. P(cid:229) denne m(cid:229)de vil man kunne skabe grundlag for behandling, der hviler p(cid:229) kliniske undersłgelsesresultater (»evidence based medicine«). For eksempel tager de igangv(cid:230)rende projekter, der er udvalgt p(cid:229) grundlag af indkaldelser af forslag i 1999, sigte p(cid:229) at undersłge de bedst mulige behandlingsformer til medfłdte stofskiftelidelser, muskelsvind og sj(cid:230)ldne blodsygdomme, der navnlig rammer błrn. Kommissionen har desv(cid:230)rre ikke modtaget forslag til forskningsprojekter, der specifikt vedrłrer det problem, det (cid:230)rede medlem omtaler. Der vil blive udsendt nye indkaldelser af forslag i oktober 2000 og derefter, i 2001 og 2002, p(cid:229) datoer, der offentliggłres i arbejdsprogrammet. Kommissionen h(cid:229)ber, at den med disse nye indkaldelser vil modtage forskningsprojekter, der sigter mod forbedring, łget effektivitet og rationel anvendelse af l(cid:230)gemidler, der specielt er tilt(cid:230)nkt błrn. (2001/C 72 E/031) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-1207/00 af Ursula Schleicher (PPE-DE) til R(cid:229)det (27. april 2000) Om: Direktiv om badevand Under fłrstebehandlingen den 12. 12. 1996 af Kommissionens forslag til direktiv (KOM(94) 0036 (1) om (cid:230)ndring af R(cid:229)dets direktiv 76/60/E(cid:216)F (2) om kvaliteten af badevand opgav Europa-Parlamentet sin udtalelse. Kan R(cid:229)det oplyse, hvorn(cid:229)r man kan forvente en f(cid:230)lles holdning, med henblik p(cid:229), at Europa-Parlamentet kan tage stilling under andenbehandlingen? (1) EFT C 112 af 22. 4. 1994, s. 3. (2) EFT L 31 af 5. 2. 1976, s. 1. Svar (18. -19. september 2000) I juli 1998 oplyste medlemsstaternes delegationer, at de foretrak, at Kommissionen udarbejder et nyt direktiv om badevand, da Kommissionens forslag fra 1994 i mellemtiden er for(cid:230)ldet. R(cid:229)det er blevet underrettet om, at Kommissionen har indledt intensive konsultationer og et arbejdsprogram med henblik p(cid:229) at juni 2000, hvori der vil blive taget hensyn til de bem(cid:230)rkninger, der er fremsat af medlemsstaterne og alle de relevante eksperter i teknik og forvaltning. forel(cid:230)gge en meddelelse i (2001/C 72 E/032) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-1214/00 af Daniel Hannan (PPE-DE) til Kommissionen Om: Parlamentariske forespłrgsler vedrłrende Van Buitenen (14. april 2000) Hvor mange skriftlige forespłrgsler vedrłrende Van Buitenens p(cid:229)stande mangler at blive besvaret? Hvor l(cid:230)nge har forsinkelserne varet i hvert tilf(cid:230)lde? Hvad ligger til grund for hver forsinkelse? C 72 E/30 De Europ(cid:230)iske F(cid:230)llesskabers Tidende DA 6. 3. 2001 Svar afgivet p(cid:229) Kommissionens vegne af Romano Prodi (17. juli 2000) Kommissionen besvarer alle skriftlige forespłrgsler s(cid:229) hurtigt og fuldst(cid:230)ndigt som muligt og afs(cid:230)tter betragtelige ressourcer til dette arbejde. Den har besvaret 2064 skriftlige forespłrgsler i (cid:229)r, med en gennemsnitlig svartid p(cid:229) 6 uger og 1 dag. Kommissionen bestr(cid:230)ber sig p(cid:229) at svare inden for de frister, der er opstillet af Parlamentet (prioriterede forespłrgsler inden for 3 uger, andre forespłrgsler inden for 6 uger), hvilket i mange tilf(cid:230)lde lykkes. I 1999 og indev(cid:230)rende (cid:229)r har Kommissionen besvaret 20 forespłrgsler fra det (cid:230)rede medlem, heraf 12 inden for den af Parlamentet tilladte frist. Den l(cid:230)ngste svartid til det (cid:230)rede medlem var p(cid:229) 8 uger og 2 dage. Kommissionen er ikke sikker p(cid:229), nłjagtig hvilke forespłrgsler det (cid:230)rede medlem henviser til, og er sig ikke bevidst, at skriftlige forespłrgsler vedrłrende hr. van Buitenens p(cid:229)stande var ubesvarede, da det (cid:230)rede medlem stillede sin forespłrgsel, eller p(cid:229) nuv(cid:230)rende tidspunkt stadig er ubesvarede. Kommissionen har fundet frem til seks skriftlige forespłrgsler, som er stillet om dette emne i (cid:229)r forud for det (cid:230)rede medlems forespłrgsel og fremsender til det (cid:230)rede medlem og Parlamentets generalsekretariat kopier af disse forespłrgsler og svar, hvoraf det fremg(cid:229)r, at halvdelen af dem blev besvaret inden for de frister, der er opstillet af Parlamentet. (2001/C 72 E/033) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-1240/00 af Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) til Kommissionen (14. april 2000) Om: Situationen for skarven Phalacrocrorax (carbo carbo) i direktiv 79/409/E(cid:216)F Kommissionens direktiv 79/409/E(cid:216)F (1) om beskyttelse af vilde fugle omfattede arten Phalacrocrorax carbo sinensis blandt de fuglearter, hvis levesteder er beskyttet af bilag I. I juli 1997 (cid:230)ndrede Kommissionens direktiv 97/49/E(cid:216)F (2) bilag I til direktiv 79/409/E(cid:216)F, og skarven Phalacrocrorax carbo sinensis blev slettet af listen. Agter Kommissionen ogs(cid:229) at slette skarven Phalacrocrorax carbo carbo p(cid:229) listen i bilag I i direktiv 79/409/E(cid:216)F? (1) EFT L 103 af 25. 4. 1979, s. 1. (2) EFT L 223 af 13. 8. 1997, s. 9. Svar afgivet p(cid:229) Kommissionens vegne af Margot Wallstr(cid:246)m (5. juni 2000) Den p(cid:229)g(cid:230)ldende underart af skarv (cid:129) Phalacrocorax carbo carbo (cid:129) er ikke og har aldrig v(cid:230)ret medtaget i bilag I til R(cid:229)dets direktiv 79/409/E(cid:216)F af 2. april 1979 om beskyttelse af vilde fugle. Derfor er det (cid:230)rede medlems skriftlige forespłrsel irrelevant. (2001/C 72 E/034) SKRIFTLIG FORESP(cid:216)RGSEL E-1243/00 af Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli (GUE/NGL) til Kommissionen (14. april 2000) Om: Messina kommunes udlicitering af anl(cid:230)gsarbejder i tilknytning til en sporvognsforbindelse finansieret med EU-midler Messina kommune i Italien har udliciteret anl(cid:230)gsarbejder i tilknytning til en sporvognsforbindelse, som EU stłtter med 148 mia. ITL. Der er allerede konstateret en betydelig forsinkelse i arbejdet i forhold til den projekterede tidsplan, og desuden er der sket (cid:129) og sker fortsat (cid:129) betydelige miljłskader som f. eks. f(cid:230)ldning af mere end 3 000 tr(cid:230)er


title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-1222/00 by Karin Riis-Jørgensen (ELDR) to the Commission. Recovery of customs duties.

eurovoc_concepts:
Bangladesh
certificate of origin
common tariff policy
generalised preferences
textile product

text: C 53 E/104 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 20. 2. 2001 The application of Directive 79/409/EEC and Directive 92/43/EEC is primarily the responsibility of the Member State concerned. The Commission(cid:146)s only responsibility is to check whether the Member State has respected the requirements of those Directives. The requirements of Article 6(4) of Directive 92/43/EEC, such as the assessment of alternative routes instead of the temporary or permanent re-opening of the existing railway line through the Meinweg, only apply if the results of the assessment under Article 6(3) of the Directive show that the project will have significant effects on the Meinweg. At the moment the Commission has no indication that action has to be taken as suggested in the question in advance of receiving the reply from the Netherlands. It has not yet received any indication that an infringement of Directive 79/409/EEC or Directive 92/43/EEC has already taken place. (1) OJ C 170 E, 20. 6. 2000. (2) OJ L 103, 25. 4. 1979. (3) OJ L 206, 22. 7. 1992. (2001/C 53 E/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1218/00 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Consequences of the drought in Portugal (14 April 2000) It is common knowledge that the drought in Portugal is damaging agriculture in various ways, especially where winter and late spring and early summer crops are concerned. Have steps been taken to aid the Portuguese producers who have sustained losses? If so, what support has been granted? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (22 May 2000) The Commission has been fully aware of the continuing drought in Portugal in recent months. It is still too soon to assess the damage to this year(cid:146)s crops. The Commission will examine any specific problems that may arise in the context of the common market organisations. If Portugal wishes the Community would be able, as part of her operational programme on agriculture and rural development for the period 2000-2006 and within the financing limits already set, to part-finance restoration of production capacity lost as a result of natural disasters. (2001/C 53 E/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1222/00 by Karin Riis-Jłrgensen (ELDR) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Recovery of customs duties Under the generalised system of preferences textile products are imported on favourable terms from Bangladesh to the European market with certificates of origin. The Commission has initiated action for the recovery of customs duties on products imported during 1994-1996. This is giving rise to considerable financial difficulties for European importers and great dissatisfaction has also been caused by the fact that importers who were acting in good faith have been kept in ignorance of the authorities(cid:146) suspicion of widespread irregularities. The following questions need to be clarified here: 20. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 53 E/105 Did the Commission at any time object to the customs authorities in the Member States generally informing importers that there was justified suspicion of widespread technical problems with certificates of origin from Bangladesh? Is it true that the customs authorities in the Member States (cid:129) as a consequence of the Commission resorting to Article 19 in Regulation (EEC) No 1468/81 (1) on mutual assistance (cid:129) were for a period of time precluded from generally informing importers that there was a suspicion that there were or that there could be widespread technical problems with certificates of origin from Bangladesh? If so, what was that period of time? Which Member States(cid:146) authorities informed the Commission that there were or there could be widespread technical problems associated with certificates of origin from Bangladesh? When was this information passed on to the Commission? Is it true that the Commission and some of the customs authorities in the Member States had originally planned to undertake a mission to Bangladesh back in the beginning of 1996. If so, what was the background to this mission, which of the Member States(cid:146) customs authorities were involved in it, when was this mission to have been undertaken and why was it not undertaken? When and with the participation of which Member States(cid:146) customs authorities were there set up, through the Commission(cid:146)s intervention, one or more ad hoc committees and/or held ad hoc meetings to consider the question of the quality and accuracy of certificates of origin from Bangladesh? (1) OJ L 144, 2. 6. 1981, p. 1. Answer given by Mrs Schreyer on behalf of the Commission (19 June 2000) At no time has the Commission sought to prevent the Member States from taking appropriate action in respect of importers. In fact, the Commission itself published an information (cid:145)Advice to importers(cid:146) (1) advising all Community importers of potential problems concerning the accuracy of Form A origin certificates for textiles originating in Bangladesh. The European antifraud Office has provided the Commission with specific elements. the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom had Certain Member States, notably Denmark, Germany, expressed to the Commission concerns about the operation of the system for the post-verification of generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) Forms A issued in Bangladesh in the context of ad hoc meetings in the latter part of 1995 and the first half of 1996. Those concerns were not expressed as (cid:145)justified suspicion of widespread technical problems(cid:146). Practical arrangements concerning the visit of the Community delegation to Bangladesh relied upon information supplied by the Commission delegation in Dhaka. Because of the violent strikes in Bangladesh in 1996 largely directed towards textile factories, it was not possible for a Community delegation to carry out such a visit with all the necessary safety guarantees before November 1996. The examination, on a certificate by certificate basis, of GSP Form A certificates of origin, in order to establish the authenticity of the documents and the accuracy of the information which they contained, took place in the context of the joint enquiries conducted between the visiting Community delegation (Commission and representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and United Kingdom) and the authorities of Bangladesh in November 1996 and December 1996. A preparatory ad hoc meeting was held in Brussels in October 1996 which was attended by representatives of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Subsequently, several meetings were held, in particular in January 1997 with representatives of the Member States who participated in the mission and in February 1997 when all Member States participated with the exception of France. (1) OJ C 107, 5. 4. 1997


title: SKRIFTLIG FRÅGA E-1239/00 från Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE-DE) till kommissionen. Porto vid Deutsche Post AG.

eurovoc_concepts:
Germany
common commercial policy
dominant position
postal charges
privatisation
restriction on competition
universal service

text: C 46 E/152 Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning SV 13. 2. 2001 f(cid:228)rger som anv(cid:228)nds f(cid:246)r tatuering vars kemiska struktur, N(cid:228)r kommissionen har (cid:246)verv(cid:228)gt m(cid:246)jliga lagstiftningsf(cid:246)rslag om s(cid:228)kerhet vid anv(cid:228)ndning av tatueringsf(cid:228)r- ger har man beg(cid:228)rt yttrande av den vetenskapliga kommittØn f(cid:246)r kosmetiska produkter och icke-livs- medelsprodukter. I sitt yttrande av den 17 februari 2000 konstaterade kommittØn att det finns ett stort antal identitet och toxikologiska profil (cid:228)r ofullst(cid:228)ndig eller ok(cid:228)nd, vilket om(cid:246)jligg(cid:246)r en ordentlig h(cid:228)lsoriskbed(cid:246)mning. I sitt yttrande rekommende- rade kommittØn att en systematisk anstr(cid:228)ngning skall g(cid:246)ras f(cid:246)r att samla in kemisk och toxikologisk information om tatueringsf(cid:228)rger s(cid:229) att en ordentlig h(cid:228)lsoriskbed(cid:246)mning kan g(cid:246)ras. Kommissionens f(cid:246)resats (cid:228)r att skydda folkh(cid:228)lsan b(cid:228)ttre och man h(cid:229)ller d(cid:228)rf(cid:246)r p(cid:229) att unders(cid:246)ka m(cid:246)jligheterna att genomf(cid:246)ra denna uppgift. N(cid:228)r det g(cid:228)ller azof(cid:228)rgerna som parlamentsledamoten s(cid:228)rskilt n(cid:228)mner delar kommissionen ocks(cid:229) uppfatt- ningen att teoretiskt sett bryts azof(cid:228)rger ner p(cid:229) liknande s(cid:228)tt i tatueringar som de g(cid:246)r i l(cid:228)dervaror, vilket ger upphov till cancerframkallande aminer. Det finns dock inga vetenskapliga bevis som bekr(cid:228)ftar detta. Kommissionen kommer att prioritera denna aspekt n(cid:228)r man unders(cid:246)ker tatueringsf(cid:228)rger. 2. och 3. Tatueringsf(cid:228)rger anv(cid:228)nds av kosmetiska sk(cid:228)l (cid:228)ven om anv(cid:228)ndningen av dem (injicering) inte omfattas av r(cid:229)dets direktiv 76/768/EEG av den 27 juli 1976 om tilln(cid:228)rmning av medlemsstaternas lagstiftning om kosmetiska produkter (1) d(cid:228)r man s(cid:228)ger att (cid:148)produkter som inneh(cid:229)ller (cid:228)mnen eller bered- ningar som (cid:228)r avsedda att sv(cid:228)ljas, inhaleras, injiceras eller anv(cid:228)ndas som implantat p(cid:229) m(cid:228)nniskan inte motsvarar definitionen i detta direktiv(cid:148). Tatueringsf(cid:228)rger kan dock betraktas som allm(cid:228)nna konsument- produkter och omfattas d(cid:229) av r(cid:229)dets direktiv 92/59/EEG av den 29 juni 1992 om allm(cid:228)n produkts(cid:228)ker- het (2) och r(cid:229)dets direktiv 76/769/EEG av den 27 juli 1976 om begr(cid:228)nsning av anv(cid:228)ndning och utsl(cid:228)ppande p(cid:229) marknaden av vissa farliga (cid:228)mnen och preparat (beredningar). (1) EGT L 262, 27. 9. 1976. (2) EGT L 228, 11. 8. 1992. (2001/C 46 E/175) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-1239/00 fr(cid:229)n Klaus-Heiner Lehne (PPE-DE) till kommissionen (14 april 2000) ˜mne: Porto vid Deutsche Post AG i Tyskland att Tysklands ekonomiminister M(cid:252)ller har anmodat tillsynsmyndigheten f(cid:246)r postv(cid:228)sendet inst(cid:228)lla f(cid:246)rfarandet med anledning av att den senaste portoh(cid:246)jningen till 1,10 DEM per brev och 1,00 DEM per kort upph(cid:246)r att g(cid:228)lla vid utg(cid:229)ngen av 2000 och till(cid:229)ta att dessa portoavgifter skall bibeh(cid:229)llas en l(cid:228)ngre tid fram(cid:246)ver. Tillsynsmyndigheten stod redan i begrepp att avsluta f(cid:246)rfarandet och hade f(cid:246)r avsikt att v(cid:228)gra till(cid:229)ta att portoh(cid:246)jningarna skulle f(cid:246)rbli i kraft. D(cid:228)refter skulle ett porto p(cid:229) f(cid:229)tt (cid:229)terinf(cid:246)ras. Under tiden har tillsynsmyndighetens 1,00 DEM f(cid:246)r brev och 0,80 DEM f(cid:246)r kort r(cid:229)dgivande kommittØ med 11 r(cid:246)ster f(cid:246)r och 7 emot p(cid:229)talat ministerns f(cid:246)rfarande s(cid:229)som stridande mot konkurrensreglerna och p(cid:229)yrkat en (cid:228)ndring av ministerns beslut. Deutsche Post AG (cid:228)r ett aktivt f(cid:246)retag p(cid:229) den europeiska marknaden ocks(cid:229) utanf(cid:246)r Tyskland. F(cid:246)retaget (cid:228)r ett av de st(cid:246)rsta bland de f(cid:246)retag inom Europa som arbetar med befordran av brev och paket. Portoh(cid:246)j- ningen tj(cid:228)nade hittills syftet att korssubventionera mindre inbringande aff(cid:228)rssektorer av postens verksam- het, till exempel paketsektorn, d(cid:228)r det r(cid:229)der stark konkurrens fr(cid:229)n det privata n(cid:228)ringslivets sida. Av det ovan anf(cid:246)rda inst(cid:228)ller sig f(cid:246)ljande fr(cid:229)gor: 1. Hur ser kommissionen p(cid:229) Deutsche Post AG:s agerande? 2. Hur ser kommissionen p(cid:229) det tyska ekonomiministeriets agerande mot tillsynsmyndigheten? 3. T(cid:228)nker kommissionen g(cid:246)ra en konkurrensr(cid:228)ttslig pr(cid:246)vning av det som f(cid:246)revarit, med tanke p(cid:229) dess konsekvenser inom hela Europa? 4. Vilka (cid:229)tg(cid:228)rder t(cid:228)nker kommissionen i f(cid:246)rekommande fall vidta? 13. 2. 2001 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 46 E/153 Svar fr(cid:229)n Mario Monti p(cid:229) kommissionens v(cid:228)gnar (14 juni 2000) 1. M(cid:229)nga av de klagom(cid:229)l som kommissionen f(cid:229)r in g(cid:228)ller p(cid:229)st(cid:229)dd korssubventionering av icke- monopoliserade posttj(cid:228)nster via int(cid:228)kter fr(cid:229)n de monopoliserade tj(cid:228)nsterna (avh(cid:228)mtning, sortering, trans- port och utb(cid:228)rning av inrikes och utrikes brevf(cid:246)rs(cid:228)ndelser). Dessa klagom(cid:229)l unders(cid:246)ks f(cid:246)r n(cid:228)rvarande utifr(cid:229)n EG-f(cid:246)rdragets konkurrensregler. Kommissionen betonar att en s(cid:229)dan unders(cid:246)kning endast kan g(cid:246)ras p(cid:229) ett meningsfullt s(cid:228)tt om den bygger p(cid:229) (cid:229)tskilda kostnadsredovisningar dels f(cid:246)r var och en av tj(cid:228)nsterna inom den monopoliserade sektorn, dels f(cid:246)r de icke-monopoliserade tj(cid:228)nsterna. Skyldigheten att inf(cid:246)ra skilda konton anges i artikel 14 i direktiv 97/67/EG av den 15 december 1997 om gemensamma regler f(cid:246)r utvecklingen av gemenskapens inre marknad f(cid:246)r posttj(cid:228)nster och f(cid:246)r f(cid:246)rb(cid:228)ttring av kvaliteten p(cid:229) tj(cid:228)nsterna (1). Huruvida den tyska ekonomiministerns agerande gentemot tillsynsmyndigheten (cid:228)r f(cid:246)renligt med 2. gemenskapslagstiftningen m(cid:229)ste bed(cid:246)mas utifr(cid:229)n de s(cid:228)rskilda best(cid:228)mmelserna i artikel 22 i direktiv 97/67/ EG. Skulle dessa s(cid:228)rskilda best(cid:228)mmelser inte vara tillr(cid:228)ckliga f(cid:246)r att s(cid:228)kra det verksamhetsm(cid:228)ssiga oberoendet f(cid:246)r de nationella tillsynsmyndigheterna som utsetts f(cid:246)r postv(cid:228)sendet, kan man vid behov anv(cid:228)nda de allm(cid:228)nna konkurrensreglerna, och i synnerhet artikel 86 (f. d. artikel 90) i EG-f(cid:246)rdraget. 3. Som framg(cid:229)r av svaret i fr(cid:229)ga 2 har kommissionen f(cid:246)r avsikt att f(cid:246)rst granska detta (cid:228)rende utifr(cid:229)n best(cid:228)mmelserna i artikel 22 i direktiv 97/67/EG, d(cid:228)r det anges att varje medlemsstat skall utse en eller flera nationella tillsynsmyndigheter f(cid:246)r postsektorn som (cid:228)r juridiskt (cid:229)tskilda och verksamhetsm(cid:228)ssigt oberoende av postoperat(cid:246)rerna. 4. P(cid:229) grundval av de skilda r(cid:228)kenskaperna f(cid:246)r monopoliserade och icke-monopoliserade tj(cid:228)nster kommer kommissionen att g(cid:246)ra en n(cid:228)rmare unders(cid:246)kning av p(cid:229)st(cid:229)endet att man olovligen snedvrider konkurrensen inom de icke-monopoliserade tj(cid:228)nsterna. Med tanke p(cid:229) de nuvarande portona f(cid:246)r inrikes respektive utrikes brev kommer det eventuellt ocks(cid:229) att kr(cid:228)vas en granskning av om det tyska brevmono- polet m(cid:229)ste vara s(cid:229) omfattande som det (cid:228)r f(cid:246)r att man skall kunna uppr(cid:228)tth(cid:229)lla de samh(cid:228)llsomfattande tj(cid:228)nsterna. (1) EGT L 15, 21. 1. 1998. (2001/C 46 E/176) SKRIFTLIG FR¯GA E-1241/00 fr(cid:229)n Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) till kommissionen (14 april 2000) ˜mne: Arbetstidsdirektivets best(cid:228)mmelser Kan kommissionen f(cid:246)rklara hur best(cid:228)mmelserna i arbetstidsdirektivet skall till(cid:228)mpas i fr(cid:229)ga om (cid:148)frivilligt(cid:148) arbete? Hur skall arbetstidsdirektivet till(cid:228)mpas i s(cid:229)dana fall d(cid:228)r det p(cid:229) grund av personalbrist (cid:228)r underf(cid:246)rs- t(cid:229)tt att en arbetstagare f(cid:246)rv(cid:228)ntas arbeta mera (cid:228)n maximalt 48 timmar per vecka utan att detta ing(cid:229)r i n(cid:229)got avtal? Kan kommissionen ocks(cid:229) redog(cid:246)ra f(cid:246)r hur arbetstidsdirektivets best(cid:228)mmelser definierar ber(cid:228)kningen av arbetstiden? Om en arbetstagare till exempel arbetar 40 timmar per vecka enligt tidsplanen, men (cid:228)r tvungen att utf(cid:246)ra en stor m(cid:228)ngd arbete p(cid:229) egen tid, hur skall dessa (cid:246)verloppstimmar beaktas vid genomf(cid:246)randet av direktivet? Svar fr(cid:229)n Anna Diamantopoulou p(cid:229) kommissionens v(cid:228)gnar (29 maj 2000) I r(cid:229)dets direktiv 93/104/EG av den 23 februari 1993 om arbetstidens f(cid:246)rl(cid:228)ggning i vissa avseenden (1) (arbetstidsdirektivet1) k(cid:228)nner man inte begreppet (cid:148)frivilligt arbete(cid:148). I artikel 6. 2 i direktivet f(cid:246)reskrivs att medlemsstaterna, f(cid:246)r att skydda arbetstagarnas s(cid:228)kerhet och h(cid:228)lsa, skall vidta de (cid:229)tg(cid:228)rder som beh(cid:246)vs f(cid:246)r att (cid:229)stadkomma att den genomsnittliga arbetstiden f(cid:246)r en sjudagarsperiod, inbegripet (cid:246)vertid, inte (cid:246)ver- stiger 48 timmar


title: Reglamento (CE) n° 779/2000 de la Comisión, de 14 de abril de 2000, que modifica el Reglamento (CE) n° 2799/1999 por el que se establecen las disposiciones de aplicación del Reglamento (CE) n° 1255/1999 en relación con la concesión de una ayuda a la leche desnatada y a la leche desnatada en polvo destinadas a la alimentación animal y con la venta de dicha leche desnatada en polvo

eurovoc_concepts:
aid system
animal nutrition
award of contract
intervention agency
skimmed milk powder

formats: pdf print

text: L 95/12 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas 15. 4. 2000 REGLAMENTO (CE) No 779/2000 DE LA COMISIÓN de 14 de abril de 2000 que modifica el Reglamento (CE) no 2799/1999 por el que se establecen las disposiciones de aplicación del Reglamento (CE) no 1255/1999 en relación con la concesión de una ayuda a la leche desnatada y a la leche desnatada en polvo destinadas a la alimentación animal y con la venta de dicha leche desnatada en polvo LA COMISIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS, Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, Visto el Reglamento (CE) no 1255/1999 del Consejo, de 17 de mayo de 1999, por el que se establece la organización común de mercados en el sector de la leche y de los productos lácteos (1) y, en particular, su artículo 10, Considerando lo siguiente: (2) (3) Habida cuenta de la cantidad que queda disponible y de la situación del mercado, es conveniente sustituir dicha fecha por la del 1 de octubre de 1998. Las medidas previstas en el presente Reglamento se ajustan al dictamen del Comité de gestión de la leche y de los productos lácteos. HA ADOPTADO EL PRESENTE REGLAMENTO: Artículo 1 (1) En virtud del artículo 26 del Reglamento (CE) no 2799/ 1999 de la Comisión (2), cuya última modificación la constituye el Reglamento (CE) no 438/2000 (3), los orga- nismos de intervención abrieron una licitación perma- nente para la venta de leche desnatada en polvo que hubiera entrado a formar parte de las existencias antes del 1 de agosto de 1998. En el apartado 2 del artículo 26 del Reglamento (CE) no 2799/ 1999, la fecha de «1 de agosto de 1998» se sustituirá por la de «1 de octubre de 1998». El presente Reglamento entrará en vigor el 15 de abril de 2000. Artículo 2 El presente Reglamento será obligatorio en todos sus elementos y directamente aplicable en cada Estado miembro. Hecho en Bruselas, el 14 de abril de 2000. Por la Comisión Franz FISCHLER Miembro de la Comisión (1) DO L 160 de 26. 6. 1999, p. 48. (2) DO L 340 de 31. 12. 1999, p. 3. (3) DO L 54 de 26. 2. 2000, p. 24


title: Kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 787/2000 av den 14 april 2000 om fastställande av det högsta exportbidraget för helt slipat mellankornigt ris och helt slipat långkornigt A-ris inom ramen för det anbudsförfarande som avses i förordning (EG) nr 2179/1999

eurovoc_concepts:
award of contract
export refund
third country

text: 15. 4. 2000 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning L 95/21 KOMMISSIONENS FÖRORDNING (EG) nr 787/2000 av den 14 april 2000 om fastställande av det högsta exportbidraget för helt slipat mellankornigt ris och helt slipat långkornigt A-ris inom ramen för det anbudsförfarande som avses i förordning (EG) nr 2179/1999 EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPERNAS KOMMISSION HAR ANTAGIT DENNA FÖRORDNING med beaktande av Fördraget om upprättandet av Europeiska gemenskapen, med beaktande av rådets förordning (EG) nr 3072/95 av den 22 december 1995 om den gemensamma organisationen av marknaden för ris (1), senast ändrad genom förordning (EG) nr 2072/98 (2), särskilt artikel 13. 3 i denna, och av följande skäl: (1) (2) Genom kommissionens 1999 (3) ges möjlighet exportbidrag för ris. förordning (EG) nr 2179/ för ett anbudsförfarande för På grundval av lämnade anbud kan kommissionen i enlighet med artikel 5 i kommissionens förordning (EEG) nr 584/75 (4), senast ändrad genom förordning (EG) nr 299/95 (5) och i enlighet med det förfarande som föreskrivs i artikel 22 i förordning (EG) nr 3072/95 besluta om fastställande av ett högsta exportbidrag. Vid fastställandet bör de kriterier som föreskrivs i artikel 13 i förordning (EG) nr 3072/95 särskilt beaktas. Anbudsför- farandet beviljas varje anbudsgivare vars anbud är lika med eller lägre än det högsta exportbidraget. (3) (4) Tillämpningen av de ovannämnda kriterierna på den nuvarande marknadssituationen för ifrågavarande ris medför att det högsta exportbidraget fastställs till det belopp som anges i artikel 1. De åtgärder som föreskrivs i denna förordning är fören- från Förvaltningskommittén för liga med yttrandet spannmål. HÄRIGENOM FÖRESKRIVS FÖLJANDE. Artikel 1 Det högsta exportbidraget för helt slipat mellankornigt ris och helt slipat långkornigt A-ris avsett för vissa tredje länder, skall på grundval av anbud som lämnats in från och med den 7 till och med den 13 april 2000 fastställas till 170,00 EUR/t inom ramen för det anbudsförfarande som avses i förordning (EG) nr 2179/1999. Artikel 2 Denna förordning träder i kraft den 15 april 2000. Denna förordning är till alla delar bindande och direkt tillämplig i alla medlemsstater. Utfärdad i Bryssel den 14 april 2000. På kommissionens vägnar Franz FISCHLER Ledamot av kommissionen (1) EGT L 329, 30. 12. 1995, s. 18. (2) EGT L 265, 30. 9. 1998, s. 4. (3) EGT L 267, 15. 10. 1999, s. 13. (4) EGT L 61, 7. 3. 1975, s. 25. (5) EGT L 35, 15. 2. 1995, s. 8


title: WRITTEN QUESTION E-1241/00 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission. Provisions of the working time directive.

eurovoc_concepts:
EC Directive
competence of the Member States
interpretation of the law
overtime
unpaid work
working time

text: 13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/153 Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (14 June 2000) 1. The Commission is currently dealing with several complaints concerning alleged cross-subsidisation of business sectors of the postal service using revenue from the reserved sector (collection, sorting, transport and delivery of domestic and foreign letters). The complaints are being examined in the light of the competition rules contained in the EC Treaty. The Commission would point out that this examination will be meaningful only if carried out on the basis of separate cost-accounting systems for each service in the reserved sector, on the one hand, and for non-reserved services, on the other. Article 14 of Directive 97/67/EC of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service requires the introduction of separate accounts (1). The compatibility with Community legislation of the attitude of the Federal Ministry of Economic 2. Affairs towards the regulatory authority must be examined on the basis of the special legal provisions of Article 22 of Directive 97/67/EC. Should these special provisions not suffice to ensure the operational independence of the national regulatory authority for the postal service, it will be possible, if necessary, to resort to the general rules on competition, particularly Article 86 (formerly Article 90) of the EC Treaty. 3. In line with the answer given to the second question, the Commission intends to examine the matter initially in Article 22 of Directive 97/67/EC, which requires each Member State to designate one or more national regulatory authorities for the postal sector that are legally separate from and operationally independent of the postal operators. On the basis of the separate accounts kept for reserved and non-reserved services, the Commission 4. will look further into the allegation that competition in the non-reserved sector is being unlawfully impaired by revenue from the reserved sector. It may also prove necessary to examine whether, in view of the current postal rates for domestic and foreign letters, it is absolutely necessary for the German mail monopoly to continue in its present form in order to preserve a universal service. (1) OJ L 15, 21. 1. 1998. (2001/C 46 E/176) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1241/00 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Provisions of the working time directive Could the Commission explain the provisions of the Working Time Directive with regard to (cid:145)voluntary(cid:146) work. If a worker is implicitly expected to work longer hours than the 48 hours per week maximum through understaffing elsewhere, but this work is not contracted, how should this be covered by the Working Time Directive? Could the Commission also explain how the provisions of the Working Time Directive specify the necessary measurement? If, for example, a worker has forty timetabled hours per week, but must do a large amount of work in his/her own time, how should those unmeasured hours be taken into account in the implementation of the directive? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (29 May 2000) Council Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time (1) ((cid:145)Working Time Directive(cid:146)) does not recognise the notion of (cid:145)voluntary work(cid:146). Article 6(2) of the Directive lays down that (cid:145)Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that, in keeping with the need to protect the safety and health of workers: the average working time for each seven-day period, including overtime, does not exceed 48 hours. (cid:146) C 46 E/154 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 13. 2. 2001 According to Articles 16(2) and 17 of the Directive, the reference period over which the average is to be calculated may vary between 4 and 12 months depending on the situation and the means by which the reference period is laid down. These provisions must be implemented into national law by the Member States. It is for the Member States(cid:146) authorities to ensure that national legislation implementing Community law is applied and enforced. (1) OJ L 307, 13. 12. 1993. (2001/C 46 E/177) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1242/00 by Elizabeth Lynne (ELDR) to the Commission (14 April 2000) Subject: Teachers and the working time directive Would the Commission please specify that teachers are covered under the Working Time Directive? Could the Commission give details regarding the provisions of the Working Time Directive in the educational sector in the UK? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (8 June 2000) Article 1(3) of Council Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time ((cid:145)working time directive(cid:146)) (1) states that (cid:145)This Directive shall apply to all sectors of activity, both public and private, within the meaning of Article 2 of Directive 89/391/EC, without prejudice to Article 17 of this Directive, with the exception of air, rail, road, sea, inland waterway and lake transport, sea fishing, other work at sea and the activities of doctors in training. (cid:146) According to Article 2 of Council Directive 89/391/EC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (2), this Directive shall apply to all sectors of activity, both public and private (industrial, agricultural, commercial, administrative, service, educational, cultural, leisure, etc. ). This Directive shall not be applicable where characteristics peculiar to certain specific public service activities, such as the armed forces or the police, or to certain specific activities in the civil protection services inevitably conflict with it. In that event, the safety and health of workers must be ensured as far as possible in the light of the objectives of this Directive. On the basis of these two provisions, it is clear that the working time Directive applies to the work of teachers. According to information available to the Commission, the Working Time Regulations 1998 (Statutory Instruments 1998 No 1833), which implement the working time Directive in the United Kingdom, apply to the work of teachers. (1) OJ L 307, 13. 12. 1993. (2) OJ L 183, 29. 6. 1989


eurovoc_concepts:
bad weather
production aid
silviculture

text: C 40/486 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 7. 2. 2001 Freitag, 14. April 2000 ist der Auffassung, daß die Verringerung des Lärms auf Flughäfen am besten durch eine Kombination 6. folgender Maßnahmen erreicht werden kann: eine effizientere Kostenregelung, die Anreize für den Einsatz weniger lärmintensiver Flugzeuge bietet, wobei die dadurch erzielten Einnahmen für eine Verringerung der Auswirkungen des Fluglärms, wie z. B. Schallisolierungssysteme in den angrenzenden Wohngebieten, eingesetzt werden, ein Zuweisungssystem für „slots“, das Umweltkriterien, wie z. B. die nächtlichen Geräuschpegel, berücksichtigt, Maßnahmen zur Verringerung der Überlastung von lärmintensiven Flughäfen, einschließlich einer bes- seren Aufteilung des Luftverkehrs zwischen den Flughäfen, die Teil eines regionalen Netzes innerhalb eines Mitgliedstaats sind, wodurch gewährleistet wird, daß die lokalen Geräuschpegel nicht zunehmen, Anreize für den stärkeren Einsatz von Hochgeschwindigkeitszügen für die Beförderung auf kürzeren Strecken, Beschränkungen für Nachflüge; ist der Auffassung, daß die Differenzierung von Flughafengebühren nach Maßgabe der Start- und 7. Landezeiten ein nützliches Instrument zur Kontrolle der Lärmbelästigung darstellt; 8. ist der Ansicht, daß strenge Geräuschemissionswerte die Entwicklung und den Einsatz leiserer Flug- zeuge wesentlich fördern würden und eine Klassifizierung der Flugzeugtypen nach ihren Geräuschemissio- nen gemäß der derzeitigen Betriebsgeräuschpegel sinnvoll wäre; ist der Ansicht, daß Flüge, insbesondere nachts, eine Belästigung für die Menschen darstellen und daß 9. ihre Zahl deshalb verringert werden sollte; 10. fordert eine gemeinsame Fluglärmsystematik, da hierdurch ein europaweit gültiges, unparteiisches und transparentes System eingeführt würde, um Wettbewerbsverzerrungen zwischen den einzelnen Flug- häfen zu vermeiden; ermutigt die Kommission, die Durchführbarkeit und den möglichen Geltungsbereich eines Gemein- 11. schaftssystems zur Ermittlung besonders lärmintensiver Flughäfen zu prüfen; fordert die Kommission auf, zusammen mit den Behörden und den Anwohnerorganisationen der an 12. die europäischen Flughäfen grenzenden Gemeinden an der Herstellung von „Lärmkarten“ zu arbeiten, die es ermöglichen, die Zonen der größten Lärmbelästigung zu ermitteln und die Bevölkerung darüber zu informieren; beauftragt seine Präsidentin, diese Entschließung der Kommission, dem Rat und dem Ausschuß der 13. Regionen zu übermitteln. 2. Die Forstwirtschaft nach den Stürmen vom Dezember 1999 B5-0390, 0391, 0393, 0394 und 0397/2000 Entschließung des Europäischen Parlaments zu den wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen der jüngsten Stürme auf die Forstwirtschaft in Europa Das Europäische Parlament, unter Hinweis auf Artikel 30 der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1257/1999 des Rates vom 17. Mai 1999 über die Förderung der Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums durch den Europäischen Ausrichtungs- und Garantiefonds für die Landwirtschaft (EAGFL), unter Hinweis auf seine Entschließung vom 20. Januar 2000 zu den jüngsten Stürmen in Europa (1), (1) Angenomme Texte Punkt 3. 7. 2. 2001 DE Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften C 40/487 Freitag, 14. April 2000 in Kenntnis der Mitteilung der Kommission vom 12. Januar 2000 über die Auswirkungen der Stürme in Europa, der von Herrn Barnier, für die Regionalpolitik zuständiges Kommissionsmitglied, u. a. am 18. Januar 2000 vor dem Parlament abgegebenen Erklärungen sowie des Schreibens von Herrn Prodi, Präsident der Kommission, an Herrn Jospin, französischer Ministerpräsident, vom 21. Februar 2000, unter Hinweis auf die Verpflichtungen, die die Europäische Union anläßlich des Protokolls von Kyoto über Klimaänderungen eingegangen ist, A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. in Anbetracht des gewaltigen Ausmaßes der von den außergewöhnlich heftigen Stürmen vom 25. bis 27. Dezember 1999 in den Waldgebieten der Länder der Union angerichteten Schäden sowie der Größe der betroffenen Flächen, in Anbetracht der Bedeutung der Holzwirtschaft für die direkte und indirekte Beschäftigung sowie der wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Auswirkungen dieses Sturms für die KMU in diesem Sektor, in der Erwägung, daß der Wald für die Wirtschaft zahlreicher Regionen hinsichtlich der Lebensquali- tät, der touristischen Nutzung, der landwirtschaftlichen Raumplanung und der Erhaltung der biologi- schen Vielfalt verschiedene Aufgaben erfüllt, in der Erwägung, daß die gesamte europäische Forstwirtschaft mit einem Überangebot konfrontiert war und sich gedrängt sah, die Binnenmarktpreise zu senken, weil in manchen Ländern eine auf das Drei- bis Vierfache der normalen Jahresproduktion geschätzte Holzmenge auf den Markt gebracht wurde, in der Erwägung, daß das gravierende Ausmaß der Konsequenzen teilweise auf die Auswirkungen der forstwirtschaftlichen Monokulturen zurückzuführen ist, in der Erwägung, daß in manchen Regionen einerseits durch die Anhäufung von Holz für die Nadel- baumbestände eine große Brandgefahr besteht und eine rasche Wiederaufforstung in Frage gestellt ist und andererseits die Gefahr besteht, daß das Fallholz wegen der durch Borkenkäfer, kleine Holzschäd- linge, die irreparable Schäden anrichten, verursachten Schäden nicht mehr vermarktet werden kann, in Anbetracht der Hindernisse für die Ausfuhr in Länder außerhalb der Europäischen Union, die die Kosten für Langstreckentransporte für einige gemeine Holzarten darstellen, in der Erwägung, daß es unbedingt notwendig ist, das Windbruch- und Windwurfholz so rasch wie möglich unter schwierigen technischen Bedingungen zu nutzen, um einerseits die Gefahr von Brand- katastrophen zu verhindern und andererseits eine rasche Wiederaufforstung und eine Wiederher- stellung der natürlichen Umwelt zu ermöglichen, in Anbetracht der wirtschaftlichen Auswirkungen, mit denen die Industriebetriebe der ersten und zwei- ten Verarbeitungsstufe in den nächsten Jahren zu kämpfen haben werden, da ihnen keine lokalen Ressourcen zu angemessenen Preisen zur Verfügung stehen, fordert die Kommission auf, es über die bisher zur Erreichung der folgenden Ziele getroffenen Vor- 1. kehrungen und gebundenen europäischen Mittel zu informieren: Förderung einer raschen Nutzung der geschädigten Flächen; Förderung einer gerechten Entschädigung der Waldbesitzer, um die Wiederherstellung der Nutzflächen und ihre möglichst rasche Wiederaufforstung zu erleichtern; 2. fordert die Kommission auf, die einschlägigen Bestimmungen des Vertrags anzuwenden, um aus- nahmsweise die Gewährung einer geeigneten Beihilfe für den betroffenen forstwirtschaftlichen Sektor zu genehmigen; 3. ersucht die Kommission und die Mitgliedstaaten, für den Holzmarkt auf europäischer Ebene so rasch wie möglich eine dieser Situation angepaßte Regelung einzuführen, um die vorrangige Nutzung des Fall- holzes und seinen vorrangigen Absatz im Binnenmarkt zu organisieren sowie bei Lagerung und Transport zu helfen, wobei vor allem die gemeineren Holzarten berücksichtigt werden sollten; 4. fordert die Kommission auf, bei der Welthandelsorganisation eine Ausnahmegenehmigung für die Gewährung finanzieller Sonderbeihilfen für den Transport in Drittländer zu beantragen, und zwar insbe- sondere für die anfälligsten Hölzer, die rasch weiterverarbeitet und abgesetzt werden müssen; 5. fordert die Kommission auf, auf eine tatsächliche und prioritäre Anwendung der Bestimmungen von Artikel 30 der obengenannten Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1257/1999 des Rates zu achten, damit alle geeigneten Maßnahmen zur Förderung des Wiederaufbaus des durch die Stürme vom 25. bis 27. Dezember 1999 geschädigten forstwirtschaftlichen Produktionspotentials getroffen werden; C 40/488 Amtsblatt der Europäischen Gemeinschaften DE 7. 2. 2001 Freitag, 14. April 2000 6. fordert die Kommission auf, darauf zu achten, daß die einheitlichen Programmplanungsdokumente, die gemeinschaftlichen Förderkonzepte und die nationalen Entwicklungspläne für die Durchführung der Strukturfonds der Generation 2000-2006 Leitlinien, Programme und Maßnahmen zugunsten der Forstwirt- schaft und der Industriesektoren der ersten und zweiten Verarbeitungsstufe für Holz enthalten, die sich auf die derzeitigen oder künftigen Schwierigkeiten beziehen, mit denen sie konfrontiert sind; 7. fordert, daß bei der Durchführung der Wiederaufforstungspolitik den einheimischen Holzarten, der Vielfalt der Ökosysteme, dem Gleichgewicht zwischen der Landwirtschaft, der Forstwirtschaft und dem Jagdwesen, und der Qualität der ländlichen Gegenden Rechnung getragen wird und die Absatzmärkte der Holzwirtschaft diversifiziert werden; 8. fordert die Kommission auf, eine koordinierte forstwirtschaftliche Strategie zu fördern, um eine kon- krete Zusammenfassung zwischen den staatlichen Stellen, den betroffenen Gemeinden und den Privateigen- tümern zu ermöglichen; 9. fordert die Kommission auf, geeignete Instrumente einzuführen, die ein wirksames Eingreifen der Union in derartigen Krisensituationen, die durch Unfälle oder Naturkatastrophen entstehen können, inner- halb der Union ermöglichen; beauftragt seine Präsidentin, diese Entschließung dem Rat, der Kommission und den Parlamenten 10. der Mitgliedstaaten zu übermitteln


title: Communication from the Commission to the Member States establishing the guidelines for the Community initiative Equal concerning transnational cooperation to promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
EU initiative
anti-discriminatory measure
cross-border cooperation
equal treatment
labour market

text: C 127/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 2000 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE MEMBER STATES establishing the guidelines for the Community initiative Equal concerning transnational coop- eration to promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market (2000/C 127/02) 1. On 14 april 2000, the Commission of Communities Community initiative entitled Equal. approved these the European the for guidelines 2. Under Equal Community funding, in the form of European Social Fund (ESF) grants, will be made available for activities which respect the guidelines laid down in this notice, and which are included in proposals presented by each Member States and approved by the Commission of the European Communities in the form of Community Initiative programmes (CIPs). Equal applies to the whole territory of the European Union. I. AIM 3. The aim of Equal is to promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market, through transnational cooperation. Equal will also take due account of the social and voca- tional integration of asylum seekers. II. POLICY CONTEXT 4. The growing interdependence of Member States economies has led to the inclusion of a new Title on employment in the Amsterdam Treaty. This provides for a coordinated strategy for employment and the adoption of guidelines which the Member States take into account in their employment policies. The employment guidelines (based on the four pillars of Employability, Entrepreneurship, Adaptability, and Equal Opportunities) and their trans- formation by the Member States into National Action Plans for employment (NAPs) provide the framework for financial support at EU level, in particular through the Structural Funds. 5. The European Employment Strategy has the goal of achieving a high level of employment for all groups in the labour market. To achieve this, the development of the skills and employability of those currently outside the labour market is essential. The skills of those already in work, especially in exposed or vulnerable sectors, must also be renewed and updated. Furthermore, the capacity for entrepreneurship must be broadened. The equal partici- pation of women and men in the labour market must also be ensured. This requires action to counter inequality and discrimination suffered by both the jobless and the employed. 6. To be fully effective, the European Employment Strategy must be translated into action at the local and regional level, in urban and rural districts (cid:151) that is to say at the level of territories able to generate local cooperation. It requires new approaches to shared priorities and the effective dissemination of successful ideas. 7. The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of the Structural Funds, along with those dealing with agriculture and regional development. The ESF concerned with measures to prevent and combat unemployment and to develop human resources and promote equal opportunities for all in accessing the labour market. In particular, it is intended to contribute to action which supports the European Employment Strategy. is 8. At Community level there is an integrated strategy to combat discrimination (in particular that based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation) and social exclusion. Focusing on the labour market, Equal will form part of that strategy. It will instruments and be complementary to other policies, actions developed in this respect and which go beyond the labour market area and, in particular, the specific legis- lation and action programmes under Articles 13 and 137 of the Treaty. The Commission and the Member States will ensure coherence between Equal and such activities. Equal will, therefore, play a key role in linking together the EU supported actions under Articles 13 and 137, the ESF supported programmes the political objectives and pursued in the framework of the European employment Strategy. III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES Introduction and disseminate 9. Building on lessons learned under the Employment and Adapt programmes, Equal will act as a testing ground to delivering develop of to combat all sorts of employment policies in order discrimination and those experienced by inequality seeking access to the labour market and those already within it. The particular needs of asylum seekers will be addressed taking into account their specific situation. new ways 5. 5. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 127/3 10. Equal will operate in a number of thematic fields, defined in the context of the employment the our pillars of strategy and following discussion with the Member States. These are the priority fields where groups of transantional cooperation that Member States consider will assist them in improving ways of delivering their national policies. In accordance with Article 1 of Regu- European lation employment guidelines, Member States will adopt a gender mainstreaming approach in each thematic field. 1260/1999 (1), (EC) No and the 11. Equal will be implemented by partenrships established at geographical or sectoral level and called Development Part- nerships (DPs). The partners within the DPs will define and agree a strategy to be followed, along with the means of bringing it to fruition using innovative approaches. DPs will undertake transnational cooperation and participate in the dissemination and mainstreaming of good practice. 12. The successful innovation developed under Equal should be disseminated widely in order to achieve the maximum impact on policy and, where appropriate, it should be incorporated into the Objective 1, 2 and 3 Structural Fund programmes and the NAPs. 13. Equal will be distinguished from the Objective 1, 2 and 3 Structural Fund programmes by its focus on testing new ways of delivery for policy priorities in the framework of the European Employment Strategy and by the emphasis on partnership in a context of transnational cooperation. Thematic approach strategy. Within these thematic fields in the four pillars of 14. Member States shall formulate their strategy for Equal on the the basis of European Employment fields Member States shall ensure that their proposals principally benefit those subject to the main forms of discrimination (based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation) and inequality. Each thematic field shall be fully accessible to all such groups. Within this horizontal approach, the promotion of equality between women and men will be integral to the thematic fields in all four pillars as being targeted through specific actions in the fourth pillar. 15. The thematic fields, which will serve as the basis for the first call for proposals, are set out below. The list of thematic fields may be reviewed, before subsequent calls to take acount of developments in the for proposals, (1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds. employment and in the guidelines. labour market Proposals for revised thematic fields will be put forward by the Commission following the necessary consultations. They will be submitted for agreement to the Committee pursuant to Article 147 of the Treaty, after discussion in the Employment Committee, and presented to the European Parliament. Thematic fields for the first call for proposals their should have 16. In setting out strategy, based on these themes, ideal of Member States in mind the improving the supply of and demand for quality jobs with a future. They should also encourage the effective use of existing mechanismes (for example those that exict for social dialogue) to sensitise those in the labour market to the factors leading to diescrimination, inequality and exclusion for certain groups in connection with the labour market. Employability (a) Facilitating access and return to the labour market for those who have difficulty in being integrated or rein- tegrated into a labour market wich must be open to all. (b) Combating racism and xenophobia in relation to the labour market. Entrepreneurship (c) Opening up the business creation process to all by providing the tools required for setting up in business and for the identification and exploitation of new possibilities for creating employment in urban and rural areas. (d) Strengthening the social economy (the third sector), in particular the services of interest to the community, with a focus on improving the quality of jobs. Adaptability (e) Promoting lifelong learning practices which encourage retention of inequality in connection with the labour market. inclusive work and discrimination and recruitment and the suffering those (f) Supporting the adaptability of firms and employees to structural economic change and the use of information technology and other new technologies. C 127/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 2000 Equal opportunities for women and men (g) Reconciling family and professional life, as well as the re-integration of men and women who have left the labour market, by developing more flexible and effective forms of work organisation and support services. (h) Reducing gender gaps and supporting job desegre- gation. 17. Member States will select only the thematic fields in which they want to cooperate. In addition, each Member States must plan at least a minimum level of action aimed at asylum seekers, the problem in the Member State. in line with the dimensions of 18. Normally Member States will be expected to choose at least one thematic field in each pillar for each call for proposals. Exceptionally, the Commission may agree to a reduction in this requirement in a Member State. Asylum seekers 19. The position of asylum seekers within the Union is complex. They may be divided essentially into three categories (1): (cid:151) those whose asylum is consideration by the Member States concerned, application for under (cid:151) those who have been admitted under a humanitarian resettlement or evacuation programme or who benefit from a temporary protection arrangement, (cid:151) those who have not been granted refugee status, but who benefit from another form of protection (comple- mentary or subidiary protection) because their indi- vidual situation prevents their return to their country of origin. 20. In the majority of Member States, access to the labour market by asylum seekers as such (the first category above) is either forbidden or hedged around with very restrictive conditions. As regards the latter two categories, however, Member States have shown themselves more willing to consider access to the labour market. It could also be noted that in the Joint Action of 26 April 1999, the Council recognised the desirability of helping asylum seekers who face repatriation with education and training, (1) Refugees are not included under this heading because, as long-term residents, they are eligible under normal Equal Development Part- nerships. in their home which would give them skills useful country (2). this state of affairs be is important respected in implementing the (cid:145)asylum seeker(cid:146) element in Equal. that It 21. Action in respect of asylum sekers may be programmed either as a sectoral DP (i. e. , a national partnership, involving all the appropriate partners to support social and vocational integration for asylum seekers), or as a geographical DP in a territory where there is a high concentration of asylum seekers. The same types of part- nership, strategy and activity should be envisaged as for other Equal development partnerships. Partnership approach 22. Equal will fund activities implemented by strategic part- nerships. The Equal partnerships will operate within the thematic fields and will be called Development Part- nerships (DPs). They will bring together interested actors, with relevant competence, who will cooperate to develop an integrated approach to multi-dimensional problems. The partners shall work together to identify the factors leading to inequality and discrimination in connection with the labour market, within their chosen thematic their efforts and aresources in field/s. They shall pool pursuit defined solutions innovative problems and common goals. jointly of to sector (NGOs); the business 23. DPs should have a core of partners from the outset. They should also ensure that relevant actors, such as: public authorities, the public employment service; non-govern- (in mental organisations particular SMEs); and the social partners, can become involved during the life of the partnership. Small organi- sations with innovative ideas must be able to make their contribution by participating fully in DPs. The experience of Employment and Adapt has shown the importance of involving to ensure regional coherence between the planned activities and the devel- opment needs of the territory. Their participation will also strengthen the probability of mainstreaming the results. authorities local and 24. DPs may be geographically based, bringing together relevant actiors in a given geographical area. These will (2) Joint Action of 26 April 1999 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article K. 3 of the Treaty on European Union, establishing projects and measures to provide practical support in relation to the reception and voluntary repatriation of refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers, including emergency assistance to persons who have fled as a result of recent events in Kosovo OJ L 114, 1. 5. 1999, p. 2; see Article 5(c). 5. 5. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 127/5 be known as geographical partnerships. Geographical part- nerships may not always be the most effective way to tackle an identified problem and other forms of part- nership are possible within the above guidelines. These could cover particular economic sectors or industries. If justified, they might equally relate mainly to one or more specific group amongst those subject to discrimi- nation or inequality in connection with the labour market. These other partnerships will be known as sectoal partnerships. 25. Under Equal, the final beneficiaries are the DPs as alredy the point of described in points 22 to 24 above. At each DP must have funding, application for Equal arrangements for ensuring that the administrative and financial responsibilities are handled by an organisation which has for public funding. the capacity to manage and account Empowerment 26. The principle of empowerment will be central to each DP. In practice this will mean that those involved in the implementation of activities should also take part in the decision-making. On the other hand, the active partici- pation of those targeted for assistance should be positively assessed in the selection for Action 1 funding and the confirmation of selection for Action 2. Transnational cooperation 27. Equal will be based on the principle of transnational coop- the Community eration. The experience gained under Initiatives Employment and Adapt trans- that nationality is a dimension which can bring significant added-value to project operators working with others in similar situations. In addition, it shows that considerable policy innovation can be achieved through transnational cooperation. Transnationality will, an assential element of Equal. therefore, shows be Innovation 28. Equal will test innovative approaches to policy delivery. These may be the transfer of elements from elsewhere, which increase the effectiveness of policy delivery. completely new approaches, or is based on the 29. The definition of typology which of evaluation Employment and Adapt and which differentiated between three types of innovation: innovation in Equal from the emerged (cid:151) process-oriented innovations will cover the devel- opment of new methods, tools or approaches as well as the imporvement of existing methods, (cid:151) goal-oriented innovations will around the formulation of new objectives and innovation could include approaches to identify new and promising qualifications and the opening up of new ares of employment for the labour market, centre (cid:151) context-oriented innovations relate to political and structures. Context-oriented innovations in concerned with system development institutional will be connection with the labour market. Mainstreaming 30. Equal will fund the development of innovative solutions to the delivery of the policy priorities of Member States as set out in their NAPs. In order to obtain the maximum impact from Equal, the results must be analysed, benchmarked and disseminated both within Member States and across the Union. in particular those in charge of the NAPs, and those involved in the Objective 1, 2 and 3 Structrual Fund Programmes, receive input from Equal. It is important that policy makers, IV. ACTIONS TO BE FUNDED BY EQUAL 31. Equal will fund activity under the followning four actions Action 1: setting up development partnerships and trans- national cooperation Action 2: implementing the work programmes of development partnerships the Action 3: thematic networking, dissemination of good practice and making an impact on national policy Action 4: technical assistance to support actions 1, 2 and 3. Actions 1 and 2 are sequential. Member States will be the expected to be in a position to start Action 3 at that results are available to disseminate. earliest point Action 4 will the commencement of Action 1. from before support provide Action 1: Setting up development partnerships and transnational cooperation 32. The objective of Action 1 is to facilitate the creation of the consolidation of durable, effective development part- nerships (DPs) and to ensure that transnational cooperation will have a real added value. The time period available for this Action will be decided by the managing authority but the would not normally exceed six months. Overall, C 127/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 2000 Commission would not expect Action 1 to represent a significant part of funds available to the Member State. total funding under Equal. 33. Selection for Action 1 will be the main stage in selection for It will be based upon an application submitted jointly by a number of organisations (DP initiatiors). In the context of the thematic field and application should territory/sector of operation, identify: the (cid:151) the partners to be involved in the DP at the outset; the arrangements for ensuring that all relevant partners can become involved during the life of the partenrship including, in particular, appropriate small organi- sations; and the arrangements for handling the admin- istrative and financial responsibilities, (cid:151) the rationale for the partnership, a diagnosis of the problem to be addressed and an explanation of how the needs of all the potential beneficiary groups will be taken into acount, (cid:151) the objectives of the partnership, (cid:151) a work programme for Action 1, (cid:151) the nature of the activities they intend to implement in Action 2, (cid:151) a clear identification of the role of each partner, including the arrangements for steering and managing the partnership and administring the financial support, (cid:151) a mechanism for on-going assessment including the presentation of data and information on the DP and the analysis of results, (cid:151) the commitment of the DP to collaborate on Action 3, (cid:151) its strategy and mechanisms for implementing a gender mainstreaming approach. Transnational cooperation 36. DPs must identify at least one partner from another Member State. As a general rule, cooperation should be established between DPs, selected by the Member States under Equal, and preferably those working in the same thematic field; such cooperation may also extend to similar projects supported in a non Member State eligible for funding under the Phare, Tacis or Meda programmes. The CIP proposal may define paramenters for exceptions to the general rule, subject to the condition that the potential value added of cooperation with partners outside Equal is these partners are able to clearly identified, and that their oven costs demonstrate their capacity to cover incurred by this cooperation. (cid:151) the expectations for the transnational cooperation. of a transantional cooperation agreement: 37. At the end of Action 1, the DP should set out in the form 34. Whilst the procedures for selecting Development Part- nerships fall within the competence of the managing authority, in cooperation with the monitoring committee of the CIP, the Commission would expect selection criteria to reflect the general principles of Equal which are explained in section III. Unsuccessful applicants should be given reasons for their non-selection. 35. At the end of Action 1, the DP should be able to present a common strategy in the form of a development part- nership agreement. As a minimum this should contain: (cid:151) a transnational work programme accompanied by a budget: (cid:151) the role of each transnational partner, the common methods of decision making and the organisational implementing the common work arrangements for programme, (cid:151) the methodologies for monitoring and assessment of joint activities. (cid:151) an assessment of current labour market exclusion, discrimination and inequality, within the thematic field and territory/sector concerned; Action 2: Implementation of the work programmes of development partnerships (cid:151) objectives and priorities reflecting the learning from previous relevant action in the territory/ sector; for action, (cid:151) a detailed work programme accompanied by a realistic budget, 38. In order to have selection confirmed and to receive funding to implement its work programme through Action 2 of Equal, each Development Partnership must submit Partnership Agreement and a Transnational Cooperation Agreement, which meet the criteria set out under Action 1. These documents must also demonstrate that the DP fulfils the following conditions: two documents, a Development 5. 5. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 127/7 (cid:151) transparency: the DP must demonstrate the availability of the necessary cofinancing. The DP must also accept that instruments, methods, etc. ) will be public propety, results obtained (products, the (cid:151) representative capacity: the DP must be able to demon- strate its capacity to mobilise different actors in order that they work together. particular attention will be given to the arrangements for ensuring that all relevant actors, such as: public authorities; the public employment service; NGOs; the business sector (in particular SMEs); and the social partners, can become involved during the life of the partnership. The DP must show that appropriate small organisations are able to participate fully; added (cid:151) cooperative spirit: the DP must be able to demonstrate its capacity and its willingness to work in a context of transnational cooperation and explain the expected in transnational value implementing the different components of the work- programme. the DP must plan to cooperate in networking, dissemination and main- streaming activities at both national and European level. In addition, cooperation of 39. If the conditions in point 38 are fulfilled, the managing the part- authority will confirm the initial selection of nership, and notify it of the multiannual budget available to implement its work programme. 40. This work programme would normally cover an initial period of the results two to three years. However, obtained justify an extension, a furhter grant could be the period of approved, along with an extension of financing for the DP. if Eligibility of activities 41. The normal eligibility rules of the ESF apply (see Article 3 of the ESF Regulation (1)). However, in order to achieve the maximum effectiveness of activities Equal may fund action normally eligible under the ERDF, EAGGF Guidance or FIFG rules, (Article 21(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999). 42. Member States shall check the activities of the DPs for compatibility with the provisions of in particular with the State aid provisions, and if necessary notify them under Article 88(3). the Treaty, Action 3: thematic networking, dissemination of good practice and making an impact on national policy 43. There will be a separate action, for networking, dissemi- nation and mainstreaming activities within Equal. Partici- pation in this Action shall be mandatory for all DPs in to ensure the mainstreaming impact order that Equal seeks. It shall be organised under the responsibility of the managing authority in such a way as to facilitate maximum input into labour market and employment policy and should involve the social partners. 44. Member States shall establish mechanisms wich will facilitate mainstreaming at both the horizontal level (the level of organisations active in the same or a similar field) and the vertical level (the level of regional and national policy, including the NAP and the Structural Funds). These mechanisms should aim at: (cid:151) identifying factors leading to inequality and discrimi- nation and monitoring and analysing the impact or impact of the DPs on the policy priorities potential set out in the NAP and on the different groups subject to discrimination and inequality in connection with the labour market, (cid:151) identifying and assessing the factors leading to good practice and benchmark their performance, (cid:151) disseminating good practice, from the end of Action 1. 45. These activities will normally involve DPs acting either specific in groups on the basis of these singly or expertise and proven capacity. For this purpose, DPs would receive additional funding. their Action 4: technical assistance 46. Technical assistance will be available to support the implementation of the CIP and will be used particularly: (cid:151) to advise on and facilitate the consolidation of part- nerships and the search for suitable transnational coop- eration partners (Action 1), (cid:151) to collect, edit and disseminate the experience and results, including annual reports of the DPs (Action 2), (cid:151) to support the thematic networking, the horizontal dissemination activities and the setting up of mech- anisms for policy impact (Action 3), (1) Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund (OJ L 213, 13. 8. 1999). (cid:151) for cooperation in European networking and to ensure the sharing of all relevant information with the other C 127/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 2000 Member States and the Commission (cf. V. Actions at European level). the nation) and 137 (in favour of social Treaty. Candidate countries will be associated with the discussion and exploitation of the results. inclusion) of 47. Technical assistance will also be available to support the monitoring, audit and evaluation of actions both within Member States and at the European level. 48. The budget for technical assistance may not exceed 5 % of the total ESF contribution to the CIP. The ESF rate of contribution will be subject to the ceilings in Article 29(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999. 49. Member States will apply their own procedures to the those who will carry out selection and funding of technical assistance activities in a transparent way. V. DISSEMINATION AND EVALUATION AT EUROPEAN LEVEL 50. If Equal is to fully play its role as a testing ground for developing and promoting new ways of delivering employment policies, there will need to be close coop- eration between Member States and social partners, and the Commission, to successfully exploit the potential for impact on the European Employment Strategy of good practice identified all over the Union. 51. Evaluation of the impact of Equal is crucial. At Union level, the Commission will set up an evaluation mechanism, to assess the European Employment Strategy and other Community programmes. implications of Equal the for 52. The Commission proposes implementing three types of action to support the process of creating an impact at Union level: (cid:151) thematic review at Union level; (cid:151) a periodic assessment of the value added by Equal in relation to the national action plans for employment (NAP); (cid:151) the use of discussion fora at Union level. Thematic review 53. In order to disseminate good practice and benchmark the achievements, the Commission will organise a series of (cid:145)thematic reviews(cid:146) with clusters of development part- nerships for each of the Equal thematic fields. 54. The results will be summarised and made public, and will be used to enrich the policy peer reviews set up in the context of the the European employment evaluation activities at Union level, and the dissemination and exchange activities planned in the Community programmes under Articles 13 (fight against discrimi- strategy, Periodic assessment (cid:151) Equal and the NAPs 55. On the basis of the activities undertaken in the framework of Action 3 in each of the Member States, and data and information collected from DPs by Member States, the Commission will establish a database of good practice under Equal. The information can be used as a basis for periodic assessment of the actual and potential impact on the NAPs. These assessments should be presented for information to the Objective 1, 2 and 3 Structural Fund monitoring committees and be taken into account in the implementation of the European Social Fund. Discussion fora 56. Equal will be discussed in a number of existing fora: (cid:151) the Employment Committee will be kept informed of the results and on the review of the thematic fields, (cid:151) the Committee pursuant to Article 147 of the Treaty will deliver its opinion on the result of the review of the thematic fields and respond to specific questions referred by the Commission, (cid:151) a forum for the discussion of Equal will be organised on an annual basis with the existing NGO platform at Union level to facilitate discussions and feedback from the organisations concerned, in order (cid:151) if required, the Commission will organise meetings focussing on more specific issues under Equal, such in as candidate countries. transfer of good practice to policies the Technical assistance 57. The successful implementation of Equal demands a significant amount of collaboration between Member States and the Commission: collecting and processing information about Development Partnerships, setting up data bases, animating the thematic review process, orga- nising seminars, publicising results, etc. A certain number of specific tasks which cannot take place without support at European level will be assigned to outside service providers, at the initiative and under supervision of the Commission, on the basis of calls to be published in the Official Journal of European Communities. The execution of these tasks shall be financed at a rate of 100 % of the total cost. tender for 5. 5. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 127/9 VI. PREPARATION; PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF PROGRAMMES 58. Section III of this Notice sets out the general principles within which Equal will operate. This section sets out the elements which the Commission expects to see in the programme proposals to be presented by the designated authorities in Member States in consultation with the appropriate partners. The financial and administrative management of the CIP fall entirely within the competence of the designated managing authority, in cooperation with the Monitoring Committee of the CIP. 59. On the basis of (CIPs) for Equal. These proposals the indicative financial allocations per Member State, adopted by the Commission, Member States should propose their draft Community Initiative programmes should meet the requirements set out in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999. The CIPs will take the form of a Single Programming Document, supplemented by a Programme Complement, as provided for in Article 19(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999. The priorities in the CIP proposals will be taken from the list of thematic fields set out in point 16 above. The Actions outlined in Section IV should be considered as the measures within those priorities. 60. Member States will be expected to introduce a gender implementing, moni- perspective in the programming, toring and evaluating phases of Equal. CIP proposals 61. The proposal for a CIP put forward by the Member States shall contain the following: (cid:151) a description of the current regards discrimination and inequality in the labour market in relation to the chosen themes, and as regards asylum seekers, situation as (cid:151) an evaluation of the expected impact, including on the social and economic situation at local or sectoral level and the situation in terms of equality between men and women, in accordance with Article 41(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, (cid:151) a discription of the strategy for the implementation of Equal, based on the selection of priorities, from the list in point 16 plus specific action focused on asylum seekers (see points 19 to 21 above). This should include specific objectives, quantified where they lend themselves to quantification, (cid:151) a description of the relationship between the strategy and the previaling NAP as interpreted in the policy frame of reference referred to Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, (cid:151) a summary of arrangements to ensure complementarity between Equal and other Community instruments and programmes and the Territorial Employment Pacts, (cid:151) a summary description of the meadures planned to implement the priorities and the information needed to check the compliance with Article 87 of the Treaty, (cid:151) an indication of whether and to what extent the actions proposed under each priority will contain activities normally eligible under the ERDT, EAGGF or FIFG (Article 21(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999), to enable the Commission to make the appropriate provision in its Decision on the CIP proposal, the (cid:151) a description of technical assistance expected to be required to implement the CIP; both the types of activities and the procedures for selecting those who will carry them out, arrangements for (cid:151) an indicative financing plan specifying for each priority and each year, in accordance with Article 19(3)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, the financial allocation envisaged for the contribution of the ESF, as well as the total amount of eligible public or equivalent and estimated ESF contribution, funding relating private the to (cid:151) a description of the actions and methods planned to approach gender mainstreaming the implement effectively, (cid:151) an account of the proces of programming, including the arrangements made to consult partners, including those with a specific interest in the main areas of discrimination or inequality and the social partners, and the results of the consultations, (cid:151) provisions for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the CIPs as described below. Provisions for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of CIPs 62. The provisions implementing, monitoring for and evaluating the CIP shall be set out, in line with the in Article 19(3)(d) of Regulation (EC) requirements 1260/1999. In addition the CIP should cover the following: (cid:151) a description of the mechanism for at least two calls for for publicity, guidelines and proposals procedures for selection, including appeals), (procedures (cid:151) a synthesis of the lessons learnt from Adapt and Employment for the selected thematic priorities, (cid:151) types of contracts with final beneficiaries, C 127/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 2000 (cid:151) national mechanisms to facillitate mainstreaming at both the horizontal and vertical levels as described in Action 3, (cid:151) arrangements to ensure that Monitoring Committee membership provides the for social partners and those people with direct experience of the main forms of discrimination and inequality in connection with the labour market, including relevant representative NGOs, the involvement of (cid:151) the type and amount of data and information that DPs will be required to produce each year for on-going monitoring assessment within the DP, and the mechanisms for for any (cid:151) the mid term evaluation, at the level of the CIP, which will be launched, upon adoption, to ensure continous for feed-back successive calls for proposals. The CIP will indicate the specific parameters and quantitative and qualitative indicators to be taken into account for the mid-term evaluation and the final assessment, in line with common minimum requirements for all Member States. readjustments necessary Presentation and approval of CIPs 63. These draft CIPs shall be submitted to the Commission by the date of the Member States within four months of this notice in the Official publication of the Europeen Community. A five-month period for negotiation with the Commission will follow. Journal of 64. In accordance with Article 28 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, the Commission will approve each CIP by means of a Decision confirming the allocation of ESF funding to each priority it contains. 65. Each CIP shall be supplemented by a programme complement as defined in Article 9(m) and described in Article 18(3) of Regulation (EC) 1260/1999. 66. The programme complement will be to the Commission no later than there three months after the in Commission Decision approving the CIP. However, order are encouraged to send this at the same time as the draft CIP. the process, Member to simplify States sent VII. FINANCING the and The European Community. 67. The Equal Initiative will be jointly financed by the Member total States for contribution of the European Social Fund to Equal In the 2000 to 2006 period is EUR 2,847 million. (EC) accordance with Article 1260/1999, take the ESF contribution to Equal account of the rate of indexation of 2 % a year up to 2003 and shall be decided at 2003 prices for the years 2004 to 2006. By 31 December 2003, the Commission shall determine the rate of indexation applicable for 2004 to 2006. of Regulation shall 7(7) 68. The rates of Community contribution defined in Article 29 of the Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 will apply. In view of the innovative nature of the methods used, a systematic application of the ceilings indicated in the Regulations is recommended. 69. An indicative amount of a maximum of 2 % of the total ESF contribution will be reserved to finance activities carried out at the initiative of the Commission as set out in section V. These activities shall be financed at a rate of 100 % of the total cost. VIII. TIMING 70. The Commission invites Member States to present their draft Community initiative programme for Equal within four months of the date of publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Address for all correspondence concerning this communi- cation: Mr A. Larsson Director General Directorate General Employment and Social Affairs Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, 200 B-1049 Brussels