No C 358/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 83 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 70/157/EEC on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level 
and the exhaust system of motor vehicles 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 200 of 27 July 1983, page 5. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 14 July 1983 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 
21 lth plenary session held in Brussels on 26 and 27 October 1983. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 100 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council 
of the European Communities on 14 July 1983 for 
an opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive 
amending Directive 70/157/EEC on the approxi­
mation of the laws of the Member States relating to 
the permissible sound level and the exhaust system 
of motor vehicles, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its chairman 
on 29 July 1983 instructing the Section for Industry, 
Commerce, Crafts and Services to draw up an 
opinion on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion prepared by the 
abovementioned Section at its 95th meeting held on 
5 October 1983, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur, Mr Masprone, 
Having regard to the discussions on 26 October 1983 
at its 211th plenary session held on 26 and 27 
October 1983, unanimously: 
1. The Committee approves the proposed Direc­
tive, noting that it is a concrete expression of Com­
munity efforts for an overall solution of the prob­
lems which motor vehicles pose as regards environ­
mental protection, safety and energy conservation. 
1.1. Thanks to this action, the Community remains 
a world leader in noise-level control. 
1.2. The limit values set by Directive 70/157/EEC 
were first reduced by Directive 77/212/EEC. Direc­
tive 81/334/EEC, amending the method of mea­
surement, meant in effect a further reduction in the 
permitted noise level. The present proposal will 
lower the limits still further — quite a significant 
step, given that a reduction of 3 dB(A) means halt­
ing the sound energy emitted. 
2. However, in view of the present economic and 
social situation in the Community, the Committee 
wonders if this goal can be reached in the manner 
and above all the time indicated, particularly as the 
overall sound level is the result of a number of fac-
31. 12.83 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 358/5 
tors which cannot be adjusted beyond a certain 
point without fundamentally changing the vehicle. 
2.1. These considerations become even more com­
pelling if we remember the burden which is placed 
on industry every time it has to modify its entire 
range in a short period of time; this must be borne 
in mind in the overall approach referred to in 
point 1 above. 
3. The Committee therefore feels that the sched­
uled implementation dates have more serious 
economic and social implications than the introduc­
tion to the proposal suggests. Suffice it to mention 
the many variants which the market requires for 
each motor vehicle model, and which would have to 
be designed to meet the proposed noise levels. 3.1. The Committee thus feels that rather than giv­
ing precise dates for (a) application of the regu­
lations laid for the new type-approvals, and (b) entry 
into service, it would be better to fix suitable inter­
vals (e.g. five and eight years) from the adoption 
date of the Directive. 
4. Lastly, the Committee feels that acceptance of 
this proposal is not enough to allow certain types of 
vehicle for special uses to respect the proposed 
noise levels without losing their distinguishing charac­
teristics, which are required by specific categories 
of user (high performance vehicles, cross-country 
vehicles, vehicles used on works sites), or are under 
development (vehicles with direct-injection diesel 
engines). 
5. The Committee therefore invites the Com­
mission to seek appropriate ways to achieve the 
best solution of the abovementioned problems. 
Done at Brussels, 26 October 1983. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC 
Opinions on the 
I. proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the 
Swiss Confederation and the European Economic Community concerning direct 
insurance other than life assurance 
II. proposal for a Council Directive on the implementation of the Agreement between 
the Swiss Confederation and the European Economic Community concerning direct 
insurance other than life assurance 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 154 of 13 June 1983, page 33. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 14 March 1983 the Council referred the abovementioned proposals to the Econ­
omic and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing 
the European Economic Community.