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Our reference: A(2019)12538
Dear Mr Antragsteller/in,
Further to your application seeking information on the number of disposable headphones that are purchased each year by the European Parliament and on the plans to replace them with reusable alternatives, Parliament informs you that no documents have been identified that fall within the scope of your application.
However, from the extensive internal consultation carried out among Parliament services, we can provide you with the following information about the use of disposable headphones and plans to transition to reusable alternatives:
* Hemicycle visits in Brussels: In order to comply with the sound environmental management policies of the European Parliament, the Visits and Seminars Unit (VISSEM) is currently concluding a full transition from the single-use earphones to the reusable headphones. The green transition project has been implemented from the opening of the new legislative term after following the remarks that visitors leave in the visit satisfaction survey. A desired model of reusable headphones was selected in September 2019, and VISSEM already received the offer from the framework contractor. The reusable headphones should be delivered by mid-November 2019 to replace the single-use earphones. The last order for 57 000 single-use earphones was delivered in July 2019 and should be enough until mid-November. The used headphones are always recycled. VISSEM stopped ordering single use earphones, as the reusable headphones will be soon ready to be used. Information posters will be displayed in the reception area to explain the environmental rationale to the visitors and also to invite them to use their own headphones.
Hemicycle visits in Strasbourg during plenary sessions: VISSEM doesn't use the multimedia guides, as the individual visitors are invited to follow the plenary session and to visit the Parlamentarium Simone Veil. The headphones in the visitors' gallery are reusable.
* In Brussels, the Parlamentarium and House of the European History use reusable headphones.
* Strasbourg outside plenary sessions: The Strasbourg Conference and Visitor Services Unit uses disposable earphones for visitors. However, an alternative is underway, the purchase of contactless stereo headphones (to replace the disposable earphones). These contactless stereo headphones will have the advantage of being reusable, robust, comfortable and hygienic. The 4 800 disposable earphones received in July 2019 will be distributed while stocks last.
On this basis, Parliament considers your application as handled and the file closed. Should you have any new requests for specific Parliament documents, please do not hesitate to come back to us.
Kind regards,
