6. 8. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 206/17 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 80/232/EEC on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the ranges of nominal 
quantities and nominal capacities permitted for certain pre-packaged products 
(84/C 206/05) 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 27 January 1984, in accordance with Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, the Council asked the Economic and Social Com­
mittee for an opinion on the abovementioned proposal. 
Procedure: 
The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for 
the preparatory work, adopted its opinion on the matter on 4 April 1984. Mr Flum was 
rapporteur. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee adopted unanimously the opinion which follows 
below at its meeting on 23 May 1984 (217th plenary session on 23 and 24 May 1984). 
1. The Committee agrees to the amendments proposed. 
2. The Committee welcomes any moves from the Commission to examine nominal 
quantities and nominal capacities from the point of view of their clarity and helpful­
ness to the consumer and submit appropriate proposals. 
Done at Brussels, 23 May 1984. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of an Agreement 
between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Spain on the 
international combined road/rail carriage of goods 
(84/C 206/06) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 49 of 21 February 1984. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 6 February 1984 the Council asked the Economic and Social Committee, in pursu­
ance of Article 75 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, for 
an opinion on the abovementioned proposal. 
Procedure: 
The Committee's Section for Transport and Communications, which was instructed to 
prepare the work on the matter, adopted its opinion on 11 April 1984. The opinion 
was based on an oral report given by Mr Jeannot Schneider. 
No C 206/18 Official Journal of the European Communities 6. 8. 84 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
At its 217th plenary session, meeting of 23 May 1984, the Committee unanimously 
adopted the opinion set out below. 
1. The Committee approves the Commission's proposal which it regards as a neces­
sary measure for promoting the development of combined road/rail goods transport 
between the EC and Spain. The proposal helps to bring Spain into line with EC rules 
(especially Directive 75/130/EEC ('), last amended by Directive 82/603/EEC (2), in 
view of its probable accession to the EC. 
2. Whilst it approves the Commission's proposal, the Committee would, nonetheless, 
express its firm desire to speed up and bring to the swiftest possible conclusion the 
negotiations between the EC and the other non-EC European countries on the estab­
lishment of joint rules for certain types of combined road/rail carriage of goods, in 
accordance with the Council decision of 26 March 1981. The Committee would also 
draw attention to the importance of bringing Spain into line with EC provisions on 
other modes of transport. Finally, the Committee wishes to express certain reserva­
tions over the feasibility of implementing the proposed agreement in view of the tech­
nical problems which exist. It considers that the transitional period (extending to 
1 July 1985) in respect of piggy-back transport is too short as the Spanish railways do 
not yet have either the transhipment facilities or the rolling stock necessary for trans­
porting lorries, trailers and semi-trailers. 
Done at Brussels, 23 May 1984. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
(') OJNoL48, 22. 2. 1975, p. 31. 
(2) OJ No L 247, 23. 8. 1982, p. 6. 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the 
Member States relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human 
consumption 
(84/C 206/07) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 32 of 7 February 1984. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 27 January 1984 the Council, acting in accordance with Articles 100 and 198 of the 
Treaty setting up the European Economic Community, asked the Economic and 
Social Committee for an opinion on the abovementioned matter. 
Procedure: 
The Section for Agriculture was instructed to prepare the Committee's work on the 
matter. The Section adopted its opinion unanimously on 3 May 1984 in the light of the 
report by Mr Stahlmann.