Progress: Procedure completed
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
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Former Responsible Committee | ECON | MEIER Erhard ( PES) |
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
EC before Amsterdam E 100A
Legal Basis:
EC before Amsterdam E 100ASubjects
Events
Directive 97/23/EC on “Pressure Equipment” obliges the Commission to carry out a review of the application of Directive 87/404/EEC on “Simple Pressure Vessels”, When first adopted in 1987 the Simple Pressure Vessels Directive was one of the first of the so-called “New Approach Directives”. However, it only covers a small category of products. As a result the EU adopted in 1997 an overall Directive on Pressure Equipment which covers a wide range of products from pressure cookers to more complete chemical installations. The 1997 Directive invites the Commission to carry out a review of the Simple Pressure Vessels Directive and to ascertain whether there is a need to merge the two Directives. Indeed a merger of the two Directives has been cited by the Council as a priority for the sake of legislative simplifications.
In preparing this review, the Commission held a series of consultations with national authorities and stakeholders at the end of which it was concluded that a strong case exists for maintaining two separate Directives. The main reasons for this are as follows:
The Simple Pressure Vessels Directive is one of the first adopted under the New Approach and its functioning is well known. On the other hand the Pressure Equipment Directive is a relatively new Directive, of a highly complex nature, whose implementation still poses some problems. Further, there is very little accumulated experience and feedback from market surveillance. These elements are critical as merging both Directives would not be an exercise of mere legislative editing but could be based on substantive considerations.
The Commission, therefore, concludes that there is no clear justification in favour of a merger. This is a position supported by a very large majority of stakeholders and national authorities. As the review states, a merger would not be a simple “cut and paste” job but a fundamental review. Such an exercise would not necessarily constitute a simplification of legislation. This is view held not only by the Commission but also by most national authorities as well as manufacturers. Indeed, the proposed integration of the two Directives could create problems and at least temporary administrative burdens. At the same time, the Commission does not preclude a future initiative within the framework of the PED. This could be done once sufficient experience in implementation has been built up and in the light of an overall review of the New Approach Directives. One such initiative could include the merging of the SPVD and the PED into one single text – even if the specific provisions reflecting the characteristics of both pressure sectors were to be maintained intact.
This Communication is a follow-up to Directive 97/23/EC on Pressure Equipment, where the Commission is invited to present a report evaluating the functioning of “User Inspectorates” with regard to conformity assessment.
The Pressure Equipment Directive is a New Approach Directive but differs in one fundamental respect from other New Approach Directives. Rather than having third party intervention in conformity assessment through Notified Bodies, the Pressure Equipment Directive allows Member States to authorise the use of “User Inspectors” to verify that equipment conforms to the minimum safety requirements. In other words the User Inspectors, who form part of the group of a company using the equipment, are allowed to test conformity rather than independent Notified Bodies.
The unique nature of User Inspectorates has led some Member States to express concern over their use. Independent evaluations are key to the concept of New Approach Directives. Indeed, at the time of its adoption there was considerable concern that pressure equipment assessed by a User Inspectorate may present a higher risk potential than those who have been assessed by Notified Bodies. Most of the concerns expressed relate to the perceived lack of independence of User Inspectors given that they form part of the group of the use of pressure equipment. In principle, User Inspectors could be involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, operation or maintenance of pressure equipment.
In spite of these concerns and following extensive consultation with interested parties and stakeholders the Commission concludes that there is no need to change the current system. Both the public enquiry and consultations with Member States has shown that the concept of User Inspectorates has been functioning well and neither problems nor misbehaviour have been identified. The Directive’s provisions could on certain points be optimised but the benefits are not expected to be significant. The Commission therefore concludes that there is no sufficient reason to forward a proposal to amend the Pressure Equipment Directive with regard to User Inspectorates.
The rapporteur, Mr Meier (PSE, A), recommended the approval of the common position of the Council, as modified by the 15 amendments tabled. For his part, Commissioner Bangemann was in favour of Amendments Nos 1-7, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 15, since they served to improve and clarify the text. However, Amendments Nos 8, 10, 13 and 17 were to be rejected, especially No 8, which provided for the intervention of an independent third party, something that was not in accordance with the current directive concerning the procedure for assessing compliance, and No 10, which concerned the use of harmonised standards and the presentation of a special report, which was considered unnecessary.
Documents
- Follow-up document: COM(2006)0106
- Follow-up document: EUR-Lex
- Follow-up document: COM(2006)0109
- Follow-up document: EUR-Lex
- Final act published in Official Journal: Directive 1997/23
- Final act published in Official Journal: OJ L 181 09.07.1997, p. 0001
- Text adopted by Parliament, 3rd reading: OJ C 150 19.05.1997, p. 0013-0021
- Text adopted by Parliament, 3rd reading: T4-0193/1997
- Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading: T4-0193/1997
- Report tabled for plenary by Parliament delegation to Conciliation Committee, 3rd reading: A4-0129/1997
- Report tabled for plenary by Parliament delegation to Conciliation Committee, 3rd reading: OJ C 150 19.05.1997, p. 0003
- Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading: A4-0129/1997
- Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3603/1997
- Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3603/1997
- Commission opinion on Parliament's position at 2nd reading: EUR-Lex
- Commission opinion on Parliament's position at 2nd reading: COM(1996)0445
- Text adopted by Parliament, 2nd reading: OJ C 261 09.09.1996, p. 0050-0068
- Text adopted by Parliament, 2nd reading: T4-0397/1996
- Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T4-0397/1996
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A4-0217/1996
- Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: OJ C 211 22.07.1996, p. 0003
- Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A4-0217/1996
- Commission communication on Council's position: EUR-Lex
- Commission communication on Council's position: SEC(1996)0317
- Council position: 12095/2/1995
- Council position: OJ C 147 21.05.1996, p. 0001
- Council position published: 12095/2/1995
- Modified legislative proposal: EUR-Lex
- Modified legislative proposal: OJ C 207 27.07.1994, p. 0005
- Modified legislative proposal: COM(1994)0278
- Modified legislative proposal published: EUR-Lex
- Modified legislative proposal published: COM(1994)0278
- Text adopted by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: OJ C 128 09.05.1994, p. 0035-0061
- Text adopted by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T3-0215/1994
- Decision by Parliament, 1st reading: T3-0215/1994
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: OJ C 128 09.05.1994, p. 0006
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A3-0146/1994
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading: A3-0146/1994
- Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: CES1303/1993
- Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: OJ C 052 19.02.1994, p. 0010
- Reconsultation: EUR-Lex
- Reconsultation: COM(1993)0570
- Legislative proposal: EUR-Lex
- Legislative proposal: OJ C 246 09.09.1993, p. 0001
- Legislative proposal: COM(1993)0319
- Legislative proposal published: EUR-Lex
- Legislative proposal published: COM(1993)0319
- Legislative proposal: EUR-Lex OJ C 246 09.09.1993, p. 0001 COM(1993)0319
- Reconsultation: EUR-Lex COM(1993)0570
- Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: CES1303/1993 OJ C 052 19.02.1994, p. 0010
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: OJ C 128 09.05.1994, p. 0006 A3-0146/1994
- Text adopted by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: OJ C 128 09.05.1994, p. 0035-0061 T3-0215/1994
- Modified legislative proposal: EUR-Lex OJ C 207 27.07.1994, p. 0005 COM(1994)0278
- Council position: 12095/2/1995 OJ C 147 21.05.1996, p. 0001
- Commission communication on Council's position: EUR-Lex SEC(1996)0317
- Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A4-0217/1996 OJ C 211 22.07.1996, p. 0003
- Text adopted by Parliament, 2nd reading: OJ C 261 09.09.1996, p. 0050-0068 T4-0397/1996
- Commission opinion on Parliament's position at 2nd reading: EUR-Lex COM(1996)0445
- Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3603/1997
- Report tabled for plenary by Parliament delegation to Conciliation Committee, 3rd reading: A4-0129/1997 OJ C 150 19.05.1997, p. 0003
- Text adopted by Parliament, 3rd reading: OJ C 150 19.05.1997, p. 0013-0021 T4-0193/1997
- Follow-up document: COM(2006)0106 EUR-Lex
- Follow-up document: COM(2006)0109 EUR-Lex
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