11.5.  77 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 114/9 
Opinion  on the proposal  for a Council  Directive  on the approximation  of the laws  of 
the Member  States  relating  to the defrosting  and  demisting  systems  of motor  vehicles 
The text  referred  to the  Committee  has  been  published  in Official  Journal  of the 
European  Communities  No  C 43 of 21 February  1977,  page  24. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 22 November  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 
147th  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 30 and  31 March  1977. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European 
Economic  Community  and,  in particular,  Article  100 
thereof, 
Having  regard  to the request  for an opinion  made  by 
the Council  of the  European  Communities  on 
22 November  1976, 
Having  regard  to the Decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
23 November  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  on 
2 March  1977, 
Having  regard  to the  report  submitted  by  the 
rapporteur,  Mr  Masprone,  and  Mr  de Grave,  co-
rapporteur, 
Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 147th  plenary 
session  held  on 30 and  31 March  1977  (meeting  of 
30 March), 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
unanimously: 
The Committee  approves  the Commission's  proposal 
subject  to the  comments  set out  below: 
Done  at Brussels,  30 March  1977. 1. It  is gratified  to note  that  the Directive  seeks  to 
secure  the attainment  of high  road  safety  standards 
with  regard  to visibility  at the wheel.  The  Committee 
also notes  that  technical  progress  could  provide 
motor  vehicles  with  new  methods  (e.g.  electrical 
windscreen  heating). 
2. Nonetheless,  the  Committee  would  state  that 
the adoption  of this  Directive  does  not  mean  that 
other  traditional  methods  of keeping  the  driver's 
view  clear  (aerosols,  cloths)  will  be made  redundant. 
At all events,  the most  decisive  factor  for road  safety 
continues  to be,  without  a doubt,  the  driver's 
common  sense  and civic  responsibility.  Before  moving 
off the  driver  must  ensure  that  the  windscreen 
provides  sufficient  visibility  to allow  him  to drive 
safely.  Such  a degree  of visibility  can  often  be 
achieved  more  rapidly  and  more  economically  by 
cleaning  the windscreen  manually. 
3. It  is, however,  essential  that  the  windscreen 
be kept  clear  of mist  and  frost  when  the  vehicle  is 
in motion.  The  Committee  feels  that  given  the 
current  high  standards,  this  stipulation  can  be met 
by a test  at above  — 18 °C provided  defrosting  can 
also be guaranteed  at temperatures  below  —18  °C 
when  the  vehicle  is in motion.  The  Committee 
therefore  urges  the  Commission  to review  the 
proposed  temperature  limits,  bearing  in mind  the 
increased  costs  which  they  would  entail  and  the 
reasons  set out in the report. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Basil  de FERRANTI