(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Council common position (15079/1/2001 – C5&nbhy;0071/2002),

–   having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(1999) 620(2)),

–   having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(2000) 785(3)),

–   having regard to Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Rule 78 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy (A5&nbhy;0194/2002),

1.  Approves the common position;

2.  Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the common position;

3.  Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council pursuant to Article 254(1) of the EC Treaty;

4.  Instructs its Secretary-General duly to sign the act and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to have it published in the Official Journal of the European Communities;

5.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

(1) OJ C 135, 7.5.2001, p. 256. (2) OJ C 89 E, 28.3.2000, p. 67. (3) OJ C 96 E, 27.3.2001, p. 269.