HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1186-7W
Dr. Spink

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the expected role of the trading standards inspectors, with regard to enforcing the European Union EMC directive 89/336/EEC; and, in particular, what measures will be taken to ensure that the directive will not be enforced differently in different EU nations. [17417]

Mr. Ian Taylor

Local authority trading standards officers are the principal enforcement agents in the United Kingdom for the electromagnetic compatibility directive, 89/336/EEC. It is expected that they will follow a predominantly complaints-driven enforcement policy and that they will combine market surveillance under this directive with enforcement of other existing, related legislation, such as the low voltage directive, 73/23/EEC.

Administrative co-operation between national enforcement agencies is being developed to facilitate consistency of application throughout the EU. My Department's single market compliance unit will advise and assist, where possible, UK businesses facing barriers to trade within the Union.

Dr. Spink

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if a positive pre-compliance test would comply with the European Union EMC directive 89/336/EEC.

Mr. Ian Taylor

It is for manufacturers to decided how best to comply with the electromagnetic compatibility regulations which implement the EMC directive. Pre-compliance, diagnostic, testing can give a manufacturer a degree of confidence that his product will not breach agreed levels of electromagnetic radiation but the manufacturer cannot be sure of complying with the law if he chooses not to test an example of the finished product. Harmonised European standards provide the clearest route by which a manufacturer can self-certify his products as complying with the essential protection requirements.

Dr. Spink

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the expected total cost of implementing and subsequently enforcing European Union directive EMC 89/336/EEC(a) to Her Majesty's Government and (b) to United Kingdom industry and distribution; and what assistance United Kingdom industry and distribution can expect to help them to implement the new directive. [17418]

Mr. Ian Taylor

The cost to central and local government of implementing and enforcing the EMC regulations is expected to be low since enforcement will be undertaken by local authority trading standards officers, as part of their existing role concerning electrical safety.

For manufacturers, it has been estimated that between 2 and 5 per cent. could be added to design costs, although the cost should decline as the proportion of designs taking account of EMC requirements from the outset increases. Technical assistance has been made available to industry via an extensive EMC awareness campaign, including oral advice; guidance publications; articles in technical and trade press; and the formation of 15 regional EMC clubs to help companies understand the legal, technical and business aspects of the directive.