European standard EN 13814 for amusement park installations

6.5.2011

Question for written answer P-004715/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Jens Geier (S&D)

Harmonised standards are drawn up after the Commission mandates a recognised European standardisation organisation with producing a standard containing provisions to ensure compliance with a legal stipulation.

European standard EN 13814 governs the operation and maintenance of fairground and amusement park machinery and structures as well as training for operators and staff. This standard, drawn up on the basis of the German DIN 4112 standard, sets safety requirements for the manufacture and running of such installations and has proved its worth. However, efforts are under way to draw up an ISO standard (ISO/TC 254 N005) entitled ‘Safety of amusement rides and amusement devices’. This ISO standard could overlap with and supersede EN 13814 and might, I fear, reduce the stringent safety requirements for German and European operators of amusement park installations guaranteed by EN 13814.

Since the procedure is already officially under way, how will the Commission ensure that a possible ISO standard will match the strict requirements of EN 13814 and that EN 13814 will be used as a baseline for such an ISO standard and not be watered down?

How is the Commission guaranteeing the transparency of procedures to establish European standards and thus ensuring that the quality of EN 13814 does not suffer?

Will the Commission ensure that a new ISO standard will be at least equivalent to the safety requirements of EN 13814?

OJ C 365 E, 15/12/2011