No C 181/30 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 31. 7. 78 
sels by 1 January  1978,  since  the common  list of techni-
cal requirements  is still in preparation, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: The Economic  and  Social  Committee  endorses  the 
Commission's  proposal  whereby  the Council  is to adopt 
common  provisions  laying  down  technical  requirements 
for inland  waterway  vessels  by no later  than  1 January 
1980  and  the aforementioned  Directive  is to apply  until 
these  common  provisions  actually  enter  into  force. 
Done  at Brussels,  29 March  1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Basil  de FERRANTI 
Opinion  on the proposal  for a Council  Decision  concerning  the Community's  acceptance  of 
resolution  No 212  (revised)  of the Economic  Commission  for Europe  and  relating  to the 
facilitation  of health  and  quality  inspection  in the international  carriage  of goods  by rail as 
regards  traffic  between  the Community  and  third  countries  signatories  to the resolution 
The text  referred  to the Committee  has been  published  in Official  Journal  of the European 
Communities  No  C 51 of 1 March  1978,  page  2. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 20 February  1978,  the Council  referred  the abovementioned  proposal  to the Economic 
and Social  Committee  in accordance  with  Articles  43, 75 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 157th 
plenary  session  held  in Brussels  on 29 and  30 March  1978. 
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  43, 75 
and 100  thereof, 
Having  regard  to the request  made  by the Council  of 
the European  Communities  on 20 February  1978  for an 
opinion, Having  regard  to the decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
28 February  1978,  instructing  the Section  for Transport 
and Communications  to draw  up an opinion  on the 
matter, 
Having  regard  to Articles  46 and  47 of the Rules  of 
Procedure  (urgency  procedure)  by virtue  of which  Mr 
Costantini  was  appointed  rapporteur, 
31. 7. 78 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 181/31 
Having  regard  to the opinion  adopted  by the Section  in 
accordance  with  the  written  procedure  on 15 March 
1978, 
Having  regard  to the  discussions  at its 157th  plenary 
session,  held  on 29 and  30 March  (meeting  of 29 March 
1978), 
Whereas  the  Inland  Transport  Committee  of  the 
Economic  Commission  for Europe  based  in Geneva  has 
approved  the  revision  of resolution  No  212  relating  to 
the facilitation  of health  and  quality  inspection  in the 
international  carriage  of goods  by rail;  whereas  the 
application  of the revised  version  of resolution  No 212 
will make  the  crossing  of national  borders  easier  by 
eliminating  unnecessary  and  superfluous  interruptions 
in the  movement  of perishable  goods  from  non-Com-
munity  countries  which  are  imported  into,  or transit 
through,  the Community; 
Done  at Brussels,  29 March  1978. Whereas  the  subject  concerned  by the  revised  resol-
ution,  namely  veterinary,  plant-health  and  quality  in-
spections  in trade  with  non-Community  countries,  is 
within  the competence  of the Community; 
Whereas  under  these  circumstances  it is up  to the 
Community  to approve  and  accept  the  revised  res-
olution, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
unanimously: 
The Committee  approves  the proposal  for a Decision. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Basil  de FERRANTI 
Opinion  on the communication  of the Commission  to the Council  and  to the European  Par-
liament  on the state  of the customs  union  of the European  Economic  Community 
The opinion  of the Committee  does  not  relate  to any  particular  text. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
At its 151st  plenary  session  held  on 27 and  28 September  1977  the Committee,  acting  on a 
proposal  from  its Bureau,  decided  to deliver  an opinion  on the  abovementioned  subject  on 
its own  initiative. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  drew  up its opinion  at its 157th  plenary  session,  held 
in Brussels  on 29 and  30 March  1978. 
The opinion  is published  below. 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to Article  20 (4)  of its Rules  of Pro-
cedure, Having  regard  to its decision  of 27 September  1977,  on 
a proposal  from  its Bureau,  to deliver  an own-initiative 
opinion  on the  communication  of the  Commission  to 
the Council  and  to the  European  Parliament  on the 
state  of the  customs  union  of the  European  Economic 
Community,