Members of the European Parliament call for a thorough assessment of current bi-annual time change and, if necessary, a revision of the rules, in a resolution adopted on Thursday, the press service of the EP reported.

Citizens’ initiatives have shown that the public is concerned about the bi-annual clock change marking the beginning and end of summertime, which currently takes place the last weekend in March and October. Numerous studies have failed to reach a conclusive outcome, but indicate negative effects on human health, MEPs say. They call on the Commission to conduct a thorough assessment of the summer-time arrangements directive and, if necessary, to table a proposal to revise it.

The resolution was adopted with 384 votes in favour, 153 against, 12 abstentions.

The current summer-time arrangements directive, which entered into force in 2001, provides a harmonised date and time for the beginning and end of the summer-time period across the EU, with the aim of helping the internal market to function effectively.