5. 5. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities NoC 111/5 
OPINION OF THE ECSC CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE 
on Steel General Objectives 1995 
(unanimously adopted at its 284th session on 30 March 1990) 
(90/C 111/05) 
THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, 
— having taken note of the draft memorandum on the 
Steel General Objectives 1995, 
— having heard reports of its Subcommittees for 
General Objectives, Market and Prices and Labour 
Problems, 
— having taken formal note of the explanations and 
comments made during the session by the represen­
tative of the Commission, 
1. CONGRATULATES the Commission of the 
European Communities on the analysis of the future 
development of steel requirements that it has drawn up 
but regrets that the Commission's forecasts do not 
consider alternative scenarios by products and by sectors. 
The Commission does not sufficiently take into account 
the development of the situation in the medium term 
resulting from political and economic events inside and 
outside the Community (completion of single market, 
developments in Eastern Europe, industrial relations 
between Japan and the USA etc.) and the uncertainties 
which these engender; 
2. REGRETS that the Commission has not put greater 
emphasis on the importance of the efforts the 
Community steel industry has made up to now in its 
restructuring: in particular, a simple list of results 
obtained does not adequately highlight the enormous 
social sacrifices that were accepted during this period; 
3. STRESSES that the restructuring has allowed the 
Community steel industry to regain its dynamism and its 
competitiveness in global terms. For these reasons, the 
Consultative Committee cannot subscribe to forecasts 
which predict a reduction in the market share of the 
Community steel industry, either in the Community or in 
the world market arid, accordingly, 
4. INVITES the Commission to withdraw from the 
final text the minimalist scenario for the external trade balance. This scenario could, indeed, encourage certain 
third countries to increase their capacities substantially 
— with the aid of competition distorting subsidies — 
using the justification of greater export possibilities into 
the Community; 
5. INSISTS that in an official document concerning its 
medium-term steel strategy, the Commission link 
explicitly and energetically the development of its policy 
of liberalism in the steel sector to the actual conditions 
prevailing in other countries. Some third countries — 
despite declarations of principle to the contrary — do 
not adopt an attitude in accordance with the rules of 
fairness and equity to which international commercial 
relations have to conform. Other countries persist in 
supporting their exports artificially while at the same 
time obstructing or preventing imports of steel products 
from the Community. In this connection the Consultative 
Committee supports the Commission's intention to seek 
to obtain a multilateral agreement imposing strict and 
effective discipline in international steel trade; 
6. ACKNOWLEDGES that it is up to the steel industry 
to ensure its own competitiveness and its productivity 
but, taking into account the problems indicated above, is 
of the view that the Commission remains excessively 
reticent as to the exercise of its responsibilities under the 
ECSC Treaty in support of the industry's efforts; 
7. ASKS the Commission to use all financial means at 
its disposal — namely the 'ECSC Funds', including the 
reserves which can be considered as accumulated 
investments financed by the steel and coal industries — 
to set up a global harmonized strategy concentrating on 
such important fields as research, readaptation, steel 
promotion and environment protection in order to 
facilitate the continuation of restructuring while ensuring 
that conditions of fair competiton are maintained 
between Community undertakings; 
8. RECOGNIZES the scope for further rationalization 
in the steel industry which would lead to improvements 
in its international competitiveness and profitability and 
which, at the same time, would benefit steel users and 
NoC 111/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 5. 90 
the wider European Community economy and calls upon 
the Commission to put greater emphasis on this potential 
for rationalization in its memorandum on the Steel 
General Objectives for 1995; 
9. STRESSES the increased role of vocational training, 
both at school-leaver level and in the course of careers, 
as a means of meeting ever greater needs for qualitative 
and organizational streamlining of steel industry ac­
tivities while, in addition to higher qualifications, 
providing workers with greater security of employment, 
better work conditions and higher pay, and in this 
connection, 10. REQUESTS the Commission to make a significant 
contribution; 
— in particular by facilitating exchanges of experience 
and information, 
— by increasing its use of Article 56 of the ECSC 
Treaty as a means of financing activities which aim to 
make good training deficiencies; 
11. INVITES the Commission to include a chapter on 
steel distribution in the final version of its memorandum. 
Commission communication pursuant to Article 12 (3) of Council Regulation (EEC) 3896/89 of 
18 December 1989 applying generalized tariff preferences for 1990 in respect of certain 
industrial products originating in developing countries ('). 
(90/C 111/06) 
In pursuance of Article 12 (3) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3896/89 the Commission gives 
notice that the following tariff ceilings have been reached: 
Order No 
10.0480 
10.0680 
10.0920 
10.1055 Description 
Sacks and bags (including cones) 
Footwear with outer soles of rubber, 
plastics,leather or composition leather, and 
uppers oftextiles materials 
Copper bars, rods and profiles 
Television receivers 0*h 
Thailand 
Philippines 
Mexico 
Hungary Amount of celling 
(ecus) 
4 380 000 
2 835 000 
3 150 000 
4 200 000 
(')OJ No L 383, 30. 12. 1989, p. 1. 
Commission communication pursuant to Article 115 of the EEC Treaty 
(90/C 111/07) 
By Decision (C) 769 dated 2 May 1990 the Commission has authorized Ireland not to apply 
Community treatment to men's and boys' shirts (category 8) originating in Hongkong and in 
free circulation in the other Member States. 
The said Decision is applicable after the date of the present decision until 30 September 1990. 
The text of this Decision may be obtained from the Commission, Brussels, tel. (02) 235 23 64, 
fax (Q2) 235 01 21.