Written question asked by Siobhain McDonagh (Labour) on Friday, 11 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 June 2010. It was answered by Mark Prisk (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 June 2010 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Accidents: EU Law

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made in complying with the European Union requirement under Article 18 section 2b of Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, with regard to reporting of injury statistics; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Discussions have been taking place in the European Commission's advisory group (the Senior Officials Group on Standardisation's ad hoc Market Surveillance Group) involving BIS officials, the Commission and other Member States with a view to developing a consistent approach towards implementation of the article 18(2b) provision. They have highlighted the need for the Commission to take the lead in developing a Europe-wide consensus on the correct understanding and application of the provision. We understand that the services of the Commission are sympathetic to this approach and would like to take it forward possibly via a multi-annual programme for market surveillance.This Department will play a full part in helping to establish a consensus and in doing so will take account of other developments taking place in the United Kingdom and across the European Union on the collection of injury statistics.

Secondary information