No C 197/10 Official  Journal  of the  European  Communities 23. 8. 76 
Opinion  on the proposal  for a Council  Directive  on the  approximation  of the  laws  of 
the Member  States  relating  to the field  of vision  of motor-vehicle  drivers 
The text  referred  to the  Committee  has  been  published  in Official  Journal  of the 
European  Communities  No  C 54 of 8 March  1976,  page  14. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 12  January  1976,  the  Council  referred  the  abovementioned  proposal  to the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  in accordance  with  Article  100  of the  Treaty 
establishing  the  European  Economic  Community. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the  above  matter  at its 
139th  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 25 and  26 May  1976. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to  Article  100  of  the  Treaty 
establishing  the European  Economic  Community, 
Having  regard  to the request  for an opinion  made  by 
the Council  of the  European  Communities  on 12 
January  1976, 
Having  regard  to the decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
19 January  1976,  instructing  the Section  for Industry, 
Commerce,  Crafts  and  Services  to draw  up  an 
opinion  and  a report  on the  matter, 
Having  regard  to the  opinion  issued  by the  Section 
for Industry,  Commerce,  Crafts  and  Services  at its 
meeting  on 5 May  1976, 
Having  regard  to the  report  submitted  by  the 
Rapporteur,  Mr  Masprone, HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: 
The Committee  approves  the proposal,  subject  to the 
comments  set out below. 
1. Like  the other  Directives  designed  to eliminate 
technical  barriers  to trade  in motor  vehicles,  the 
present  proposal  for  a Directive  is based  on 
'optional'  approximation. 
1.1. 'Optional'  approximation  has  proved  its 
worth  in this  sector,  which  is one  of the  sectors  in 
which  most  progress  has  been  made  with  the 
alignment  of laws.  Nevertheless,  the  Committee 
prefers  'total'  approximation,  particularly  in areas, 
such  as the  field  of vision,  which  has  direct  road-
safety  implications.  It is able  to accept  'optional' 
approximation  for  a transitional  period  only  and 
thinks  that  'total'  approximation  should  be applied 
thereafter.  Accordingly,  the  Commission  should 
amend  the deadline  by which  Member  States  have  to 
meet  the  stipulations  of the  Directive  so as to give 
industry  time  to modify  its products  in the  light  of 
the new  requirements. 
Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 139th  plenary 
session,  held  on 25 and  26 May  1976  (meeting  of 25 
May  1976), 2. The  Committee  stresses  that  stipulations  as to 
the driver's  field  of vision  affect  vehicle  design  and 
construction  even  in the  planning  stage.  It follows 
that such  stipulations  should  apply  internationally, 
23. 8. 76 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 197/11 
for it would  be unthinkable  for  manufacturers  to 
have  to modify  vehicle  bodies  according  to the 
market  for which  they  are intended. Commission  to study  these  comments  with  the 
greatest  attention. 
Done  at Brussels,  25 May  1976. 
3. The  report  drawn  up by the  Section  includes 
technical  comments  on  the  angle  of binocular 
obstruction  in particular.  The  Committee  asks  the The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Henri  CANONGE 
Opinion  on the proposals  for Council  Directives  on the approximation  of the laws  of 
the Member  States  relating  to the  permissible  sound  emission  levels  for:  A. tower 
cranes;  B. current  generators  for  welding;  C. current  generators  for  power  supply 
The text  referred  to the  Committee  has  been  published  in Official  Journal  of the 
European  Communities  No  C 54 of 8 March  1976,  page  63. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 14 January  1976,  the  Council  referred  the  abovementioned  proposals  to the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  in accordance  with  Article  100  of the  Treaty 
establishing  the European  Economic  Community. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the above  matter  at its 
139th  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 25 and  26 May  1976. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to  Article  100  of  the  Treaty 
establishing  the European  Economic  Community, 
Having  regard  to the request  for an opinion  made  by 
the Council  of the  European  Communities  on 
14 January  1976, 
Having  regard  to the decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
27 January  1976,  instructing  the Section  for Industry, 
Commerce,  Crafts  and  Services  to draw  up  an 
opinion  and  a report  on the matter, 
Having  regard  to the  opinion  issued  by the  Section 
for Industry,  Commerce,  Crafts  and  Services  at its 
meeting  on 5 May  1976, 
Having  regard  to the  report  submitted  by  the 
Rapporteur,  Mr Marvier, Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 139th  plenary 
session,  held  on 25 and  26 May  1976  (meeting  on 25 
May), 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: 
The Committee  approves  the  proposals,  subject  to 
the comments  set out below. 
1. General  comments 
1.1. Subject  of the proposal 
1.1.1.  The  Committee  feels  that  the  Commission 
has been  unable  to give  thorough  consideration  to