7. 2. 83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 33/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on crude oil-saving through the use of 
substitute fuel components in petrol 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the 
European Communities No C 229 of 2 September 1982, page 4. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 23 August 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the 
Economic and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 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 
203rd plenary session held in Brussels on 15 and 16 December 1982. 
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 
Articles 99, 100 and 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of 
the European Communities on 23 August 1982 for 
an opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive 
on crude oil-saving through the use of substitute fuel 
components in petrol (•), 
Having regard to the decision taken by its chairman 
on 2 September 1982 instructing the Section for 
Energy and Nuclear Questions to draw up an 
opinion on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by the 
abovementioned Section at its 76th meeting held on 
3 December 1982, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur, Mr Mills, 
(») OJ No C 229, 2. 9. 1982. Having regard to the discussions on 16 December 
1982 during the 203rd plenary session held on 15 
and 16 December 1982, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously, but with five abstentions: 
1. The ESC welcomes the present proposal to 
reduce crude oil usage by substituting other fuel 
components in petrol used in spark-ignition internal 
combustion engines. It is entirely in line with 
Community energy objectives, in particular the 
reduction of dependence on oil, and the promotion 
of new energy sources, for which it has already 
expressed its support. 
2. The Committee supports the intention of the 
draft Directive to prevent national legislation or 
national administrative procedures within the 
Member States from hindering the development of a 
Community market for substitute fuels, the decision 
whether or not to handle substitute fuels being left to 
the judgement of commercial organizations. 
No C 33/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 2. 83 
3. The Committee believes, however, that the 
objectives of the draft Directive will be realized only 
if methanol and other oxygenates can be obtained 
economically, and from origins where factors likely 
to cause disruption in supplies are minimal. 
It seems in this draft Directive the opportunity for 
the Community to promote the greater use of raw 
materials which are not currently being fully 
exploited e.g. lignite, gas flared in crude oil 
production, etc. 
4. The Committee is pleased to note the 
Commission's statement that it may be possible to 
achieve a partial reduction in the lead content of the 
Done at Brussels, 16 December 1982. 
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 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of 
the European Communities on 26 November 1982 exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines 
if substitute fuels are added to petrol. The 
Committee would stress the importance of reducing 
the amount of lead and thereby the amount of other 
pollutants in such emissions. 
5. The Committee supports the proposal as laid 
out in Article 5 to set up a committee responsible in 
particular for the adaptation of the Technical Annex 
to scientific and technical developments. 
6. The Committee requests the Council to refer to 
it any future proposal from the Commission for 
Community action in the field of adding substitute 
fuel components to petrol. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
for an opinion on the proposal for a Council 
Directive amending Directive 81/363/EEC on aid 
to shipbuilding, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
23 November 1982 instructing the Section for 
Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services to draw 
up an opinion and a report on the matter, Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 81/363/EEC on aid 
to shipbuilding 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the 
European Communities No C 310 of 27 November 1982, page 6. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 26 November 1982 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the 
Economic and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 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 
203rd plenary session held in Brussels on 15 and 16 December 1982.