27. 11. 78 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 283/37 
vironmental protection requirements. It would seem, 
however, that the definitive sound limits may very well 
increase production costs and, at all events, will be 
more difficult for manufacturers to adjust to. This is 
why the Committee, while accepting the principle of 
two stages, would like the date on which the definitive 
limits enter into force to be extended. This date could 
be at least five years after the date of the Directive's 
adoption so that allowance could be made for the re­
sults of the Directive's first few years in force. 
Done at Brussels, 20 June 1978. 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Articles 49, 
84 (2) and 100 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council on 5 
June 1978 for an opinion on the aforementioned pro­
posal, 2.4. Article 7 
The Committee understands the reasons for Member 
States being given the freedom, in Article 7 (2), to take 
special measures in certain areas. It considers, however, 
that so as to avoid discrimination the Commission 
should determine more precisely how far these measures 
might go, and — at all events — should ensure that they 
do not lead to the erection of artificial barriers to trade 
in compressors. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Basil de FERRANTI 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 19 
June 1978 instructing a rapporteur-general to prepare 
an opinion in view of the urgency of the matter, 
Having regard to its Rules of Procedure, and in particu­
lar Articles 18 and 46 thereof, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur-general, Mr Hoffmann, Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive concerning the ratification of conventions 
on safety in shipping 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official journal of the European 
Communities No C 135 of 9 June 1978, page 5. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 2 June 1978 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Articles 49, 84 (2) and 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 160th 
plenary session held in Brussels on 20 and 21 June 1978. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
No C 283/38 Official Journal of the European Communities 27. 11. 78 
Having regard to the discussions at its 160th plenary 
session held on 20 and 21 June 1978 (meeting of 21 
June 1978), 
Whereas the Community must attach top priority to the 
fight against marine pollution caused, in particular, by 
hydrocarbons; Whereas the Member States should accede, in so far as 
they have not yet done so, the 1974 International Con­
vention for the safety of life at sea and the 1978 Pro­
tocol relating thereto (SOLAS), the 1973 Convention 
for the prevention of pollution by ships, as amended by 
the 1978 Protocol (MARPOL), and ILO Convention 
No 147 on minimum standards for merchant shipping, 
Whereas safety in shipping, the living and working 
conditions of crews and their level of competence, must 
all undoubtedly be improved; HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
Whereas the Council and the Member States should 
take suitable action forthwith and the Member States 
should at the appropriate international forums adopt a 
common front on the rapid application of the existing 
international rules in this field, especially with regard to 
minimum standards for the operation of ships; 
Whereas Community action in this field must be in with 
that of the specialized international bodies; unanimously: 
1. The Economic and Social Committee endorses the 
proposal, which seeks to make the Member States ratify 
or accede as soon as possible to the Conventions and 
Protocols mentioned in the recitals. 
2. The Committee believes this would be a first step 
towards improving safety at sea. 
Done at Brussels, 21 June 1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Basil de FERRANTI 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the protection of groundwater against 
pollution caused by certain dangerous substances 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official journal of the European 
Communities No C 37 of 14 February 1978, page 3. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 8 February 1978 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic 
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Community.