Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, May 2001

Human genetics committee website

In January 2001 a European Parliament temporary committee on human genetics and other new technologies in modern medicine was established to consider developments and possible benefits or problems in this field. A website has now been created at http://www.europarl.eu.int/genetics/default.htm/ to record the committee's activities and provide access to the relevant documentation. The committee intends to organise a series of expert hearing to examine not just the scientific issues but the ethical, social, legal and economic issues as well. Public comment too can be channelled through the website and contributions on this potentially sensitive subject will be welcomed. The outcome is to be a report aimed at offering a lead in future policy. Currently the home page provides links to committee membership, calendar, working programme, reference material and information sources, meeting documents, press releases and background notes. The content should grow with the work of the committee. This committee is currently one of five temporary committees with specific briefs, accessible via the website of the European Parliament at http://www.europarl.eu.int/. Two others, for example, are monitoring the action taken on BSE recommendations and conducting an inquiry into BSE.

TICQA database

The TICQA database gives free information about services provided by conformity assessment bodies, eg calibration, testing, inspecting and certification of products, and is made accessible via the DG Enterprise website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/ticqa/index.htm/. TICQA currently covers over 3,200 providers and 25,000 conformity assessment services so if you need to know which organisations can certify weighing machines in Spain or electrical machinery in Germany, this is where to look. Basic searches can be conducted from the DG Enterprise address but for customised searches and more in-depth information users should go the European Organisation for Conformity Assessment's own website at http://www.ticqa.eotc.be/

The basic options enable users to list conformity assessment bodies by country, or search by conformity assessment activity and either country or sector of activity. This is done by a process of selecting appropriate criteria from menus and then clicking on the LIST button. A slightly more detailed search facility on the same screen works in much the same way but allows a more precise specification of the type of service required. Results are presented in table format with names of organisations, contact details, region and country arranged in columns. The statistical data section of the website is still being constructed.

To conduct customised searches by combining several criteria or obtain detailed reports, for example an individual report for a particular body or statistics, use the Explore Database - Advanced Search Facility of the TICQA website at http://www.ticqa.eotc.be/ and select the relevant boxes. An offline search is then submitted to the Helpdesk which will respond.

Initially providing data on EU and EFTA countries, the service is being extended within the framework of the PRAQIII programme funded under PHARE to cover central and east European countries as well. New providers can register by going to the TICQA website and downloading the registration form.