ACTIVITIES :: 112 :: EU actions

What are the EU actions on 112?

As European citizens are increasingly travelling to other countries, for business or pleasure, there is a need for a single number across the EU to call in an emergency. Especially for travellers, safety in emergencies is the other side of the coin of the single market and the freedoms it offers.  That is why the European Commission is taking action to improve 112 and emergency responses across the EU.

Raising awareness

A large majority of EU citizens are still unaware that the European emergency number 112 can be used across the EU in case of emergency: only 26% of EU citizens could spontaneously identify 112 as the number to call for emergency services in the EU according to the last Eurobarometer survey.

The European Commission launched this 112 website to raise awareness about the single European emergency number 112, which provides user-friendly country information to citizens who would like to be informed about 112 and interactive games aimed at children.

In February 2009, the European Commission, European Parliament and Council established 11 February as the European 112 Day in order to increase public awareness of 112. On this day, different awareness and networking activities will be organized throughout the EU in order to promote the existence and use of Europe´s single emergency number.

Moreover, the new Roaming Regulation, which entered into force in July 2009, provides that citizens using their mobile phone when travelling to another EU Member State will receive an SMS with information about the European emergency number 112.

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Monitoring effective implementation

The European Commission ensures that European rules on 112 are correctly applied in the European Union and it has launched 17 infringement proceedings against Member States that have not complied with the relevant requirements of EU law. Several cases have now been closed following corrective measures in the countries concerned (see table).

It must be noted that responsibility for the organisation of the emergency services and the response to 112 rests with the Member States, which must make sure that the relevant EU requirements on 112 are effectively transposed and applied in the Member States.
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Collaborating with national authorities

The European Commission is working together with national authorities through different working groups in order to ensure the correct implementation of 112. In particular:

• the European Commission requested Member States to gather and provide detailed data on the implementation of 112 through the Communications Committee (Cocom), which gathers the representatives of Member State authorities responsible for electronic communications. To encourage and help Member States to ensure that 112 works satisfactorily across the EU, the European Commission regularly exchanges views with the Member States in the framework of the Communications Committee and outlines best practices in implementing 112.
• Following a 112 conference organised in Brussels, the European Commission set up a specialised body, the Expert Group on Emergency Access (EGEA), consisting of Member State officials representing emergency response centres, civil protection and telecommunication authorities. This expert group seeks practical solutions to problems experienced by the emergency services at local, regional or national levels, and deals with issues related to the application of new technologies for communication with emergency services.
• The Expert Group on Users with Disabilities (INCOM), which aims at dealing with the provisions related to accessibility under the regulatory framework for electronic communications.

Moreover, the European Commission has recently conducted a study, which aims to assess the use of 112 and access to emergency services available to citizens travelling, living and working in ten countries of the Mediterranean area. The results of the study are now available and will be shared with the authorities of the Mediterranean Partner Countries in the context of discussing possibilities to improve the access and the organization of emergency services in the region.

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Supporting 112 projects

The European Commission, as part of its research activities, is financing different projects related to the European emergency number 112, such as:

• the pan-European in-vehicle eCall, which is an emergency call (112 voice call and data including precise location) generated automatically via manual activation or activation of in-vehicle sensors when a severe accident occurs.
• Reach 112, which will provide alternative ways of communication to traditional voice telephony (such as live real-time text coversation), which will improve access to emergency services for people with hearing or speech impairments or people with serious injuries.
• a project run by WHO, which deals with strengthening of Emergency Medical Services, including the promotion of the single European emergency number 112

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