Recommendation 2011/750 - Support for an EU-wide eCall service in electronic communication networks for the transmission of in-vehicle emergency calls based on 112 ( eCalls ) - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 303/46

Council Decision 91/396/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the introduction of a single European emergency call number (1) required Member States to ensure that the number 112 was introduced in public telephone networks as the single European emergency call number.

Directive 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on universal service and users’ rights relating to electronic communications networks and services (Universal Service Directive) (2) requires Member States to ensure that calls to the number 112 are appropriately answered and handled, and that all end-users are able to call 112 free of charge.

Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport (3) included harmonised provision for an interoperable EU-wide eCall service as a priority action. The introduction of such a harmonised service in all vehicles in the European Union has the potential to significantly reduce the number of fatalities and the severity of injuries resulting from road accidents.

It is important for all Member States to develop common technical solutions and practices for the provision of emergency call services. The development of common technical solutions should be pursued through the European standardisation organisations, in order to facilitate the introduction of the eCall service, ensure the interoperability and continuity of the service EU-wide, and reduce the costs of implementation for the European Union.

A harmonised solution across Europe would ensure interoperability for transmitting the voice/audio call and the minimum set of data generated by the in-vehicle eCall system to the public safety answering point, including the accurate location and time of the incident. A harmonised solution would also ensure the continuity of the eCall service across European countries. With the high volume of cross-border traffic in Europe, there is a growing need for a common data transfer protocol for passing such information to public safety answering points and emergency services in order to avoid the risk of confusion or wrong interpretation of the data passed.

The effective implementation of a harmonised EU-wide interoperable eCall service requires that the voice/audio call, along with the minimum set of data generated by the in-vehicle system on the incident, is transmitted automatically to any appropriate public safety answering point that can receive and use the location data provided.

The arrangements for forwarding information by mobile network operators to public safety answering points should be established in a transparent and non-discriminatory way, including, where appropriate, any cost aspects.

A harmonised solution across Europe may also ensure interoperability for advanced eCall applications, such as the provision of additional information, e.g. on crash-sensor indicators, on the type of dangerous goods carried or on the number of occupants of the vehicle.

Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of...