title: Council Recommendation of 10 July 2012 on the National Reform Programme 2012 of Ireland and delivering a Council opinion on the Stability Programme of Ireland, 2012-2015

text:
               24.7.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 219/44

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 10 July 2012
   on the National Reform Programme 2012 of Ireland and delivering a Council opinion on the Stability Programme of Ireland, 2012-2015
   2012/C 219/13
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (1), and in particular Article 5(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the recommendation of the European Commission,
   Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
   After consulting the Economic and Financial Committee,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 26 March 2010, the European Council agreed to the Commission’s proposal to launch a new strategy for jobs and growth, Europe 2020, based on enhanced coordination of economic policies, which focuses on the key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and competitiveness.

               (2)

               On 13 July 2010, the Council adopted a recommendation on the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Union (2010 to 2014) and, on 21 October 2010, adopted a decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (2), which together form the ‘integrated guidelines’. Member States were invited to take the integrated guidelines into account in their national economic and employment policies.

               (3)

               On 12 July 2011, the Council adopted a recommendation (3) on Ireland’s National Reform Programme for 2011 and delivered its opinion on Ireland’s updated Stability Programme for 2011-2015.

               (4)

               On 23 November 2011, the Commission adopted the second Annual Growth Survey, marking the start of the second European Semester of ex ante and integrated policy coordination, which is anchored in the Europe 2020 strategy.

               (5)

               The European Parliament has been duly involved in the European Semester, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, and, on 15 February 2012, adopted a resolution on employment and social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2012 and a resolution on the contribution to the Annual Growth Survey 2012.

               (6)

               On 2 March 2012, the European Council endorsed the priorities for ensuring financial stability, fiscal consolidation and action to foster growth. It underscored the need to pursue differentiated, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation, to restore normal lending conditions to the economy, to promote growth and competitiveness, to tackle unemployment and the social consequences of the crisis, and to modernise public administration.

               (7)

               On 2 March 2012, the European Council also invited the Member States participating in the Euro Plus Pact to present their commitments in time to be included in their Stability or Convergence Programmes and their National Reform Programmes.

               (8)

               On 27 April 2012, Ireland submitted its Stability Programme covering the period 2012-2015 and its 2012 National Reform Programme.

               (9)

               On 7 December 2010, the Council adopted Implementing Decision 2011/77/EU (4) granting financial assistance to Ireland until end 2013 in accordance with Council Regulation (EU) No 407/2010 of 11 May 2010 establishing a European financial stabilisation mechanism (5). The accompanying Memorandum of Understanding signed on 16 December 2010 and its successive supplements lay down the economic policy conditions on the basis of which the financial assistance is disbursed.

               (10)

               Overall, Ireland has implemented the conditions of the financial assistance programme specified in the Memorandum of Understanding. In particular, the fiscal deficit target for 2011 (10,6 %) was achieved by a significant margin and the budget for 2012 targets a fiscal deficit of 8,6 % of GDP, in line with the financial assistance programme ceiling. Medium-term fiscal consolidation plans are consistent with the financial assistance programme’s deficit ceilings and a deficit below 3 % of GDP by 2015. The recapitalisation of domestic banks envisaged by the 2011 Prudential Capital Assessment Review of the Central Bank of Ireland has been substantively completed and domestic banks’ deleveraging exceeded the financial assistance programme’s targets for 2011 as a whole. Structural reforms to enhance competitiveness and allow stronger job creation are significantly advanced.

               (11)

               Ireland’s economy returned to modest growth of 0,7 % in 2011, broadly as expected under the financial assistance programme. Growth was export-led, benefiting from competitiveness improvements and solid external demand. Net exports contributed 4,7 percentage points to GDP growth, while domestic demand continued to contract due to fiscal consolidation, falling employment and household balance sheet repair. In 2012, growth is set to moderate to about 0,5 %, due to the adverse external environment and the continuing adjustment of domestic demand. Household and corporate balance sheet repair will continue to weigh on consumption and investment in the medium term. Export-driven growth is expected to pick up, increasing to 1,9 % in 2013 and to 2,8 % by 2015 on the back of Ireland’s strong demographics and flexible labour market as well as considerable spare capacity in the economy.

               (12)

               Based on the assessment of the Stability Programme pursuant to Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections of the Programme is plausible. Economic growth projections in the Stability Programme are similar to the Commission services 2012 spring forecast. The objective of the budgetary strategy of the Stability Programme is to reduce the general government deficit below the 3 % of GDP threshold by end 2015, which is in line with the deadline set by the Council for correcting the excessive deficit. The Stability Programme currently projects a deficit of 8,3 % of GDP (below the programme target of 8,6 % of GDP) in 2012, 7,5 % of GDP in 2013, 4,8 % of GDP in 2014 and 2,8 % of GDP by the end of the programme period in 2015. This path is underpinned by consolidation measures of 2,7 % of GDP implemented in the budget for 2012, and broad consolidation measures of 3,9 % of GDP in 2013-2014 and a further partly specified consolidation effort of 1,1 % of GDP in 2015. The Stability Programme restates the medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) of a structural general government deficit of 0,5 % of GDP, which is not reached within the programme period. The MTO adequately reflects the requirement of the Stability and Growth Pact. General government debt is above 60 % of GDP and is projected to increase from 108 % of GDP in 2011 to 120 % in 2013 before starting to decline. For the duration of the excessive deficit procedure until 2015 and in the three years thereafter, Ireland will be in a transitional period and the budgetary plans would ensure sufficient progress towards compliance with the debt reduction benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact.

               (13)

               Ireland has made a number of commitments under the Euro Plus Pact. These commitments relate to fostering competitiveness, fostering employment, enhancing sustainability of public finances and reinforcing financial stability,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Ireland take action within the period 2012-2013 to:
   Implement the measures laid down in Implementing Decision 2011/77/EU and further specified in the Memorandum of Understanding of 16 December 2010 and its subsequent supplements.

      Done at Brussels, 10 July 2012.

            For the Council

            The President

         V. SHIARLY

      (1)  OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

      (2)  Maintained for 2012 by Council Decision 2012/238/EU of 26 April 2012 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 119, 4.5.2012, p. 47).

      (3)  OJ C 215, 21.7.2011, p. 1.

      (4)  OJ L 30, 4.2.2011, p. 34.

      (5)  OJ L 118, 12.5.2010, p. 1.


title: (2014/193/EU): Commission Recommendation of 4 April 2014 on the reduction of the presence of cadmium in foodstuffs  Text with EEA relevance

text:
               8.4.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 104/80

         COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
   of 4 April 2014
   on the reduction of the presence of cadmium in foodstuffs
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   (2014/193/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (1) sets maximum levels for cadmium in a range of foodstuffs.

               (2)

               The Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (Contam Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted an opinion on cadmium in food on 30 January 2009 (2). In this opinion, EFSA established a new Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) of 2,5 μg/kg bodyweight. In its statement on the ‘Re-assessment of the tolerable weekly intake for cadmium established by the Contam Panel in 2009’ (3) EFSA took into account the recent risk assessment carried out by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) (4) and confirmed the TWI of 2,5 μg/kg bodyweight.

               (3)

               In the scientific opinion the Contam Panel concluded that the mean dietary exposures in European countries are close to or slightly exceeding the TWI of 2,5 μg/kg bodyweight. Certain subgroups of the population may exceed the TWI by about two-fold. The Contam Panel further concluded that, although adverse effects on kidney function are unlikely to occur for an individual exposed at this level, exposure to cadmium at the population level should be reduced.

               (4)

               According to the scientific opinion of the Contam Panel, the food groups that contribute to the major part of the dietary cadmium exposure, primarily because of the high consumption, were: cereals and cereals products, vegetables, nuts and pulses, starchy roots or potatoes and meat and meat products. Highest cadmium concentrations were detected in the food commodities seaweed, fish and seafood, chocolate and foods for special dietary uses as well as in fungi, oilseeds and edible offal.

               (5)

               Maximum levels for cadmium have been established in 2001 in a range of foodstuffs, including cereals, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, offals and food supplements. Taking into consideration the recent EFSA conclusions, new maximum levels for baby foods and chocolate/cocoa products have been considered and it is expected that these levels will be adopted shortly.

               (6)

               Furthermore, following the scientific opinions on cadmium of the Contam Panel, the Commission also investigated the possibilities to reduce some of the existing maximum levels for cadmium in foodstuffs that are major contributors to exposure (e.g. cereals, vegetables, potatoes).

               (7)

               The Commission considers that an immediate reduction of the maximum levels would be difficult to achieve. Cadmium presence in foodstuffs is not uniform, but highly variable depending for instance on the geographical location of the growing area (different levels of natural cadmium presence in soil due to different distribution in the earth crust), on the availability of cadmium from soil (different extent of transfer from the soil to the plants depending on the pH of the soil and other soil components), different plant varieties with different patterns of cadmium accumulation, but also of anthropogenic factors such as agricultural use of sewage sludge, manure or phosphate fertilisers and other factors. Concerning the presence of cadmium in phosphate fertilisers, on which work is ongoing, the Commission is aware of the need to take action in accordance with its risk reduction strategy for cadmium and cadmium oxide adopted in 2008 (5).

               (8)

               However, some mitigation methods for reduction of cadmium presence in foods already exist but need some time to be fully implemented by farmers and food business operators. In some cases existing methods need to be specifically adapted to the crops and geographical areas for which they are to be applied and to be better communicated and promoted to farmers in order to achieve reductions in cadmium levels in food in the medium/long term. It is therefore appropriate that Member States take the necessary steps to ensure that the already available mitigation methods are communicated and promoted to farmers and started or continued to be implemented with a view to reducing cadmium levels in food. Where necessary, further research and investigations should be carried out to fill any possible gaps in knowledge on mitigation methods.

               (9)

               The progress of the effects of the measures taken should be regularly monitored and reported to the Commission. Further occurrence data on cadmium should be collected and regularly reported to EFSA to enable the Commission to reassess the situation by 31 December 2018 with a view to deciding about further appropriate measures.

         HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

               (1)

               Member States should ensure that available mitigation measures for reduction of cadmium levels in food, in particular in cereals, vegetables and potatoes, are progressively implemented by farmers and food business operators. This includes effective ways of communicating and promoting known mitigation methods to farmers and food business operators.

               (2)

               Member States should ensure that where further knowledge is needed to identify the appropriate mitigation measures, e.g. for a certain crop or in a specific geographical area, investigations/research is carried out to fill these gaps in knowledge.

               (3)

               Member States should regularly monitor the progress of the mitigation measures implemented by collecting occurrence data on cadmium levels in food. Member States should ensure that

                           1.

                           the analytical results are provided on a regular basis to EFSA for compilation into a single database and that

                           2.

                           a report on the progress with the implementation of this recommendation is provided to the European Commission in December 2015 followed by a final report at the latest in February 2018. In these reports, particular attention should be given to those cadmium levels close to or exceeding the maximum levels.

               (4)

               The sampling and analysis should be performed in accordance with the provisions provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foodstuffs (6).

      Done at Brussels, 4 April 2014.

            For the Commission

         Tonio BORG

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5.

      (2)  The EFSA Journal (2009) 980, 1-139.

      (3)  The EFSA Journal (2011);9(2):1975.

      (4)  WHO Food Additives Series 64, 73rd meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), World Health Organisation, Geneva, 2011.

      (5)  Communication from the Commission on the results of the risk evaluation and the risk reduction strategies for the substances: cadmium and cadmium oxide (OJ C 149, 14.6.2008, p. 6).

      (6)  OJ L 88, 29.3.2007, p. 29.


title: EC: Commission Recommendation of 4 February 2005 on the further investigation into the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in certain foods (notified under document number C(2005) 256) (Text with EEA relevance)

text:
               8.2.2005

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 34/43

      COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

   of 4 February 2005
   on the further investigation into the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in certain foods
   (notified under document number C(2005) 256)
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   (2005/108/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 211 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 (1) sets maximum levels for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), specifically benzo(a)pyrene, in certain foods. In view of remaining uncertainties on levels of carcinogenic PAH in foods the Regulation provides for a review of the measures by 1 April 2007. Information is required to inform that review.

               (2)

               The Scientific Committee on Food concluded in its opinion of 4 December 2002 that a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are genotoxic carcinogens. In view of the non-threshold effects of genotoxic substances the levels of PAH in foods should be reduced to as low as reasonably achievable. The Scientific Committee on Food concluded that benzo(a)pyrene could be used as a marker for the occurrence and effect of carcinogenic PAH in food, as listed in the Annex. Further analyses of the relative proportions of these PAH in foods is necessary, to inform a future review of the suitablility of maintaining benzo(a)pyrene as a marker. Methods are available to test for multiple PAH.

               (3)

               PAH can be formed in foods during heating, drying and smoking processes which allow combustion products to come into direct contact with the food substance. Where high levels of PAH have been identified in foods, the methods of production and processing should be investigated. For example, direct fire-drying and heating processes used during the production of food oils, such as olive pomace oil, can result in high levels of PAH. Active carbon can be used to remove benzo(a)pyrene during the refining of oils, but whether refining processes effectively remove all PAH of concern is unclear. Production and processing methods should be used which prevent the initial contamination of crude oils with PAH,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT MEMBER STATES:

               1.

               Investigate the respective levels of benzo(a)pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), in particular those highlighted to be carcinogenic by the Scientific Committee on Food, as listed in the Annex (2). Assess the relative proportions of these PAH in the foods listed in Regulation (EC) No 208/2005. Investigate also the levels of PAH in other foods that can contain high levels of PAH, such as dried fruits and food supplements. The level of each carcinogenic PAH measured in individual samples of specific foods should be reported. For example, the respective PAH levels measured in each single sample of olive pomace oil or sunflower oil or smoked fish (with name of species) or smoked ham, etc., should be given. The raw data will be collated and presented by the Commission. Communicate the results of the investigations to the Commission by 31 October 2006, to inform a review of the maximum levels and the suitability of maintaining benzo(a)pyrene as a marker, by 1 April 2007.

               2.

               Investigate the production and processing methods used for food oils and fats. Where food oils and fats are produced using methods that may cause high levels of PAH contamination in the crude oil or fat, such as direct fire drying and heating processes, investigate with the producers alternative or optimised methods that would lower the levels. Report to the Commission by 31 October 2006 on findings and on progress to avoid the use of methods that can cause contamination.

               3.

               Investigate the production and processing methods used for smoking and drying foods. Where methods are used that may cause high levels of PAH contamination, investigate with the producers alternative or optimised methods that would lower the levels. Report to the Commission by 31 October 2006 on findings and on progress to avoid the use of methods that can cause contamination.

               4.

               Investigate the presence and prevention of PAH in cocoa butter and report findings to the Commission by 31 October 2006. Information is required on the levels of benzo(a)pyrene and other PAH in cocoa butter, on the sources of this possible contamination and on possible ways to reduce the contamination. This information will be used to inform a review of the derogation for cocoa butter presently listed in Regulation (EC) No 208/2005.

               5.

               Provide information from any other investigations into environmental sources of PAH contamination in foods.

      Done at Brussels, 4 February 2005.

            For the Commission

         Markos KYPRIANOU

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 77, 16.3.2001, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 208/2005 (see page 3 of this Official Journal).

      (2)  New information on PAH other than those highlighted by the Scientific Committee on Food are also welcomed where available if there are public health implications.

      ANNEX
      Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) highlighted to be carcinogenic by the Scientific Committee on Food (1), for which further investigation of the relative levels in certain foods is required:

                  benz(a)anthracene

                  benzo(b)fluoranthene

                  benzo(j)fluoranthene

                  benzo(k)fluoranthene

                  benzo(g,h,i)perylene

                  benzo(a)pyrene

                  chrysene

                  cyclopenta(c,d)pyrene

                  dibenz(a,h)anthracene

                  dibenzo(a,e)pyrene

                  dibenzo(a,h)pyrene

                  dibenzo(a,i)pyrene

                  dibenzo(a,l)pyrene

                  indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene

                  5-methylchrysene.


Avis juridique important

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32003H0887

Commission Recommendation of 11 December 2003 on the implementation and use of Eurocodes for construction works and structural construction products (Text with EEA relevance) (notified under document number C(2003) 4639)

Official Journal L 332 , 19/12/2003 P. 0062 - 0063

Commission Recommendationof 11 December 2003on the implementation and use of Eurocodes for construction works and structural construction products(notified under document number C(2003) 4639)(Text with EEA relevance)(2003/887/EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 211 thereof,Whereas:(1) The Eurocodes are a series of European standards which provide a common series of methods for calculating the mechanical strength of elements playing a structural role in construction works (hereinafter "structural construction products"). Those methods make it possible to design construction works, to check the stability of construction works or parts thereof and to give the necessary dimensions of structural construction products.(2) Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products(1) concerns the establishment and functioning of the internal market for construction products, as provided for in Article 95 of the Treaty, and applies to products covered by technical specifications, as referred to in Article 4 of Directive 89/106/EEC.(3) Structural construction products constitute an important part of the construction products market and should therefore be subject to the requirements laid down in Directive 89/106/EEC and, in particular, to the CE marking requirements. In order to enable the producers and notified bodies to assess the mechanical strength of structural construction products, which is necessary for their conformity assessment, the technical specifications should refer to calculation methods developed in the Eurocodes. The mechanical strength should be declared as performance of the product in the documents which accompany the CE marking, in accordance with Directive 89/106/EEC.(4) The disparities between the various calculation methods referred to in national building regulations hinder the free circulation of engineering and architectural services within the Community. The use of Eurocodes should facilitate the freedom to provide services in the field of construction engineering and architecture by creating the conditions for a harmonised system of general rules.(5) The majority of structural construction products and construction works are the subject of public contracts. The Eurocodes are to be used by contracting authorities in technical specifications pursuant to Article 14(1) and (2) of Council Directive 92/50/EEC of 18 June 1992 relating to the coordination of procedures for the award of public service contracts(2) and Article 10(1) and (2) of Council Directive 93/37/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts(3). Those directives provide that the technical specifications for the award of public services contracts and public works contracts are to be given in the general documents or the contractual documents relating to each contract and that, without prejudice to the legally binding national technical rules and in so far as they are compatible with Community law, such technical specifications are to be defined by the contracting authorities by reference to national standards implementing European standards.(6) The Eurocodes are also to be used pursuant to Article 18(2) of Council Directive 93/38/EEC of 14 June 1993 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors(4), which provides that the technical specifications are to be defined by those entities by reference to European specifications, where such exist. Additionally, Article 1(13) of Directive 93/38/EEC specifies that, for the purposes of that Directive, "European specification" is to mean a common technical specification, a European technical approval or a national standard implementing a European standard.(7) Member States should take all necessary measures to ensure that structural construction products calculated in accordance with the Eurocodes may be used, and should therefore refer to the Eurocodes in their national regulations on design.(8) Member States should adopt Eurocodes for structural products and construction works and recognise that the use of those Eurocodes raises a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements referred to in Directive 89/106/EEC.(9) In order to take into account specific geographical, geological or climatic conditions as well as specific levels of protection applicable in their territory, Member States may need specific parameters and the Eurocodes therefore contain "nationally determined parameters". For each nationally determined parameter, the Eurocodes give a recommended value. However, Member States may choose a different specific value as the nationally determined parameter, if they consider it necessary in order to ensure that building and civil engineering works are designed and executed in a way that does not endanger the safety of persons, domestic animals or property.(10) In order to achieve a higher level of harmonisation, a comparison of the various nationally determined parameters implemented by the Member States should be undertaken and, where appropriate, they should be aligned.(11) In the absence of technical specifications, as referred to in Article 4 of Directive 89/106/EEC, it is necessary to guarantee the free movement of structural construction products the mechanical strength of which has been assessed using Eurocodes. For that purpose, Member States should include the Eurocodes in the national provisions concerning such products.(12) The Eurocodes should facilitate the development of common research efforts undertaken by various actors in the Community and dissemination of the results of that research, in particular through professional training. This will result in safer building and civil engineering works in the Community,HEREBY RECOMMENDS:1. Member States should adopt the Eurocodes as a suitable tool for designing construction works, checking the mechanical resistance of components, or checking the stability of structures. Member States should recognise that, in the case of construction works designed using the calculation methods described in the Eurocodes, there is a presumption of conformity with essential requirement No 1 "Mechanical resistance and stability", including such aspects of essential requirement No 4 "Safety in use" as relate to mechanical resistance and stability, and with part of essential requirement No 2 "Safety in case of fire", as referred to in Annex I to Directive 89/106/EEC.2. Member States should lay down the parameters usable in their territory, hereinafter "the nationally determined parameters".3. Member States should use the recommended values provided by the Eurocodes when nationally determined parameters have been identified in the Eurocodes. They should diverge from those recommended values only where geographical, geological or climatic conditions or specific levels of protection make that necessary. Member States should notify the Commission of the nationally determined parameters in force on their territory within two years of the date on which the Eurocodes become available.4. Member States should, acting in coordination under the direction of the Commission, compare the nationally determined parameters implemented by each Member State and assess their impact as regards the technical differences for works or parts of works. Member States should, at the request of the Commission, change their nationally determined parameters in order to reduce divergence from the recommended values provided by the Eurocodes.5. In the absence of technical specifications, as referred to in Article 4 of Directive 89/106/EEC, Member States should refer to the Eurocodes in their national provisions on structural construction products.6. Member States should undertake research to facilitate the integration into the Eurocodes of the latest developments in scientific and technological knowledge. Member States should pool the national funding available for such research so that it can be used at Community level to contribute to the existing technical and scientific resources for research within the Commission, in cooperation with the Joint Research Centre, thus ensuring an ongoing increased level of protection of buildings and civil works, specifically as regards the resistance of structures to earthquakes and fire.7. Member States should promote instruction in the use of the Eurocodes, especially in engineering schools and as part of continuous professional development courses for engineers and technicians.Member States should inform the Commission of all national measures taken in accordance with this Recommendation.This Recommendation is addressed to the Member States.Done at Brussels, 11 December 2003.For the CommissionErkki LiikanenMember of the Commission(1) OJ L 40, 11.2.1989, p. 12. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).(2) OJ L 209, 24.7.1992, p. 1. Directive as last amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.(3) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993, p. 54. Directive as last amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.(4) OJ L 199, 9.8.1993, p. 84. Directive as last amended by the Act of Accession of 2003.