Safety in swimming pools

10.9.2013

Question for written answer P-010013-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Bernd Lange (S&D)

More and more accidents in swimming pools are being reported. In particular there have been deaths caused by people’s hair becoming caught in the suction outlets of circulating pumps, due to the suction being too strong and the suction holes being too small.

1. How much does the Commission know about accidents in swimming pools? What is its assessment of the inadequate implementation of the EN 15288 standard, which has been in force since 2008?

2. What measures will the Commission take to ensure that public swimming pools and hotel pools are made safer and that suction systems no longer pose a threat?

3. What measures will the Commission take to encourage European tour operators to guarantee that European safety standards apply to the swimming pools used in the holidays which they organise?

OJ C 197, 26/06/2014