J. David Magee,
Ballinamona House,
Ballinamona,
Mitchelstown,
County Cork,
Ireland, P67

Dear Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion,

Request for Access to Documents under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001

I submit this request pursuant to Article 15(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents.

This request follows the Commission's Decision C(2026) 5566 final of 28 July 2026 concerning confirmatory application EASE 2026/1815, in which the Commission explained that the additional categories of documents identified during the confirmatory stage fell outside the scope of my original application and should instead be the subject of a new initial request. Accordingly, I hereby submit the following request.

This request is not intended to reopen case EASE 2026/1815 or to seek reconsideration of documents already considered within the scope of that application. Rather, it concerns the additional categories of documents identified by the Commission in its decision. This request is framed by subject matter in accordance with Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001. As I do not know the titles, reference numbers or document identifiers of the documents sought, I respectfully request that the Commission identify all documents falling within the scope of this request. Should any clarification be required to facilitate that search, I would welcome assistance in accordance with Article 6(2) of the Regulation.

The Commission Staff Working Document (SWD(2021) 148 final) does not refer to "Vision Zero". The accompanying Stakeholder Consultation – Synopsis Report (SWD(2021) 149 final) records that several stakeholders proposed linking the future Strategic Framework with the global "Vision Zero" campaign, with an accompanying footnote referring to [the ISSA] visionzero.global. The proposal is recorded alongside numerous other stakeholder suggestions. Several of those other subjects including: occupational cancer, chemicals and occupational exposure limits, teleworking, digitalisation, ageing and emerging risks are discussed substantively in SWD(2021) 148 final. The proposal concerning the global Vision Zero campaign is not.

By contrast, the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027 (COM(2021) 323 final) states that the Commission will pursue a "Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths" and cites footnote 51, referring to the European Parliament Resolution of 17 December 2020 on a Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), in support of that wording. Having reviewed that Resolution, I have been unable to identify any reference to 'Vision Zero', 'Zero Vision' 'Zero Deaths', in relation to OSH in that Resolution.

Accordingly, this request seeks access to the documentary record concerning the origin, consideration, drafting, approval and inclusion of the term "Vision Zero" and the phrase "Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths" in COM(2021) 323 final, including the documentary basis for the selection of the supporting reference cited in footnote 51.
I therefore request access to all documents held by the European Commission concerning these matters, including, but not limited to:

- Drafting documents relating to COM(2021) 323 final, including successive drafts, tracked changes, annotations, comments and records of amendments referring to the inclusion or wording of the term "Vision Zero" or the phrase "Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths".

-Internal documents, including briefing papers, policy papers, memoranda, Cabinet papers, speaking notes, internal notes, presentations and internal correspondence concerning the drafting, consideration, approval or policy rationale for the inclusion of that terminology.

-Preparatory documents relating to the preparation of COM(2021) 323 final, SWD(2021) 148 final, SWD(2021) 149 final, and any other preparatory or supporting documents discussing, recording or referring to the inclusion of the term "Vision Zero".

-Stakeholder consultation and internal decision-making documents, including documents relating to the stakeholder consultation process, the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH), inter-service consultation, internal review or approval procedures concerning the inclusion or wording of the term "Vision Zero" or the phrase "Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths".

-Meeting records, including agendas, minutes, attendance lists, records of meetings, telephone or video conferences and other internal records concerning discussion, drafting or approval of the terminology referred to above.

-Documents recording or evidencing: The decision to include the term "Vision Zero" and the phrase "Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths" in COM(2021) 323 final;

-The decision to cite footnote 51 in support of that wording and the selection of the supporting reference cited therein;

-Consideration of alternative terminology, references or formulations during the drafting process; and

-Any legal, policy or drafting advice concerning the inclusion of the term "Vision Zero" in COM(2021) 323 final.

The relevant period for this request is 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021. If documents falling within the scope of this request are held by another Commission service, I would be grateful if this request could be forwarded internally to the appropriate service.

If any document falling within the scope of this request is considered to fall wholly or partly within an exception under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, I request partial access in accordance with Article 4(6).

I would be grateful to receive the documents in electronic format.

Yours faithfully,

J. David Magee

J. David Magee
Ballinamona House
Ballinamona
Mitchelstown
County Cork
P67 YT61
Ireland

Dear Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion,

Please pass this on to the person who reviews confirmatory applications.

Subject: Confirmatory Application – EASE 2026/3831 and EASE 2026/3832 – Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001

I am filing the following confirmatory application with regards to my access to documents request 'Documents concerning the origin, drafting and inclusion of the term "Vision Zero" in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027 (COM(2021) 323 final).'.
A full history of my request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.asktheeu.org/request/documen...

Dear Sir/Madam,

I refer to the European Commission's initial reply dated 8 September 2026 concerning my applications for access to documents EASE 2026/3831 and EASE 2026/3832.

Pursuant to Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, I hereby submit a confirmatory application and respectfully request that the Commission reconsider its initial response, in particular the completeness of the search for documents falling within the scope of my original applications.

I am not seeking to extend or alter the scope of either application. My concern is that the documents identified in the initial response do not appear to address fully a number of the documentary categories expressly included in my original requests.

1. Scope of my original requests

My original applications expressly sought, inter alia, documents concerning:

* the origin, consideration, drafting, approval and inclusion of the terms “Vision Zero” and “Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths” in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027;
* external and stakeholder input concerning Vision Zero during the preparation of the Framework, including consultation documents, submissions, correspondence, meeting records, presentations and other exchanges;
* stakeholder consultation and internal decision-making concerning that terminology;
* successive drafts, amendments, internal correspondence, meeting records and other documents recording or evidencing the decision to include or retain that terminology; and
* documents concerning the decision to cite footnote 51 in support of the relevant wording and the selection of the reference cited in that footnote.

These matters formed part of the original applications and are not additional categories being introduced at the confirmatory stage. The Commission's initial response itself records the extensive categories covered by EASE 2026/3831 and EASE 2026/3832.

2. Request for reconsideration of the search

I recognise that my original applications were necessarily broad because of their subject matter and because I could not reasonably know in advance the titles, reference numbers or other identifiers of all relevant documents. Nevertheless, they identified the subject matter, relevant terminology, relevant period and categories of documents sought in considerable detail.

I also note that, in its communication of 17 August 2026 concerning EASE 2026/3831, the Commission stated that *“the application concerns a very large number of documents and in order to retrieve the documents requested, large files have to be examined”*, and extended the time limit by 15 additional working days pursuant to Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.

I fully acknowledge that the breadth of the application may have required additional time to process. However, having reviewed the documents subsequently identified in the initial response, I remain concerned that the response does not appear to address fully a number of the documentary categories expressly included in my original applications.

The initial response states that, *“Following our research, we have identified the following documents”*, and identifies five documents.

I therefore respectfully request that the Commission reconsider the completeness of the search undertaken and determine whether any other documents falling within the scope of the applications as originally submitted are held.

Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 requires an application to be sufficiently precise to enable the institution to identify the documents sought. I consider that my original applications met that requirement.

Moreover, Article 6(2) provides that where an application is not sufficiently precise, the institution shall ask the applicant to clarify the application and shall assist the applicant in doing so. I was not informed that either application required further clarification.

3. External and stakeholder material

I particularly wish to maintain my request for documents concerning external and stakeholder input relating to Vision Zero during the preparation of the Strategic Framework.

This formed an express part of my original applications and included consultation responses, submissions, correspondence, proposals, meeting records, presentations and other relevant exchanges concerning Vision Zero.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not introducing a new category of documents at the confirmatory stage. I am requesting reconsideration of the search for material already covered by the original applications.

4. Drafting and consideration of the Vision Zero terminology

I also maintain my request for existing documents concerning the origin, consideration, drafting, approval, inclusion or retention of the specific terminology “Vision Zero” and “Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths”.

This includes the categories identified in my original application, such as successive drafts, amendments, comments, internal correspondence, meeting records and other documents recording or evidencing the consideration of that terminology.

I am not asking the Commission to create a new document or retrospectively provide an explanation. I am requesting access to existing documents, if held, falling within the scope of the original application.

5. Footnote 51

I also expressly maintain the part of my original application concerning footnote 51 of COM(2021) 323 final.

My original request sought documents concerning the decision to cite footnote 51 in support of the relevant wording and the selection of the supporting reference cited therein. This category is expressly recorded in the Commission's description of my original application.

I respectfully request that the Commission reconsider whether it holds any documents falling within this part of my original application.

I am not requesting that the Commission formulate a new explanation for footnote 51. I am requesting access to any existing documents, if held, recording or evidencing the relevant drafting or referencing decision.

6. Confirmatory review requested

In accordance with Article 7(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, I respectfully request reconsideration of the initial response and of the completeness of the search undertaken in relation to EASE 2026/3831 and EASE 2026/3832.

Where additional documents falling within the scope of the original applications are identified following that review, I request access to them in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.

Where only parts of a document are covered by an applicable exception under Article 4, I request access to the remaining parts pursuant to Article 4(6).

If, following the confirmatory review, the Commission concludes that no documents other than those already identified are held in relation to one or more of the documentary categories expressly identified in my original applications, I respectfully request that this be stated clearly in the confirmatory decision in relation to the relevant category.

My purpose in submitting this confirmatory application is simply to request reconsideration of whether the searches undertaken fully addressed the scope and documentary categories expressly identified in my original applications.

Yours faithfully,

J. David Magee
A full history of my request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.asktheeu.org/request/documen...

Dear Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion,

RE: Withdrawal of confirmatory request for case 2026/3832, sent on 09/09/2026 and registered on 09/09/2026 -
Documents concerning the origin, drafting and inclusion of the term "Vision Zero" in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027 (COM(2021) 323 final)

Please be informed, that I have now found the information that I was looking for. Therefore, I would like to withdraw my confirmatory request with regard to:
Documents concerning the origin, drafting and inclusion of the term "Vision Zero" in the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021–2027 (COM(2021) 323 final).

Thank you so much for your time and effort helping me to try and find this information.

Yours truly,
J. David Magee

Dear [email address],

RE: Confirmation of withdrawal of both confirmatory requests: EASE 2026/3831 & 2026/3832

Thank you for your message; I hope that you are well.

I confirm that I would like to withdraw both confirmatory requests: EASE 2026/3831 and 2026/3832.

Thank you for kindly investing your time and effort to help resolve this issue.

Yours faithfully,
Dave Magee