No C 344/22 Official Journal of the European Communities 31. 12. 85 
Result of the vote 
For: 28. Against: 84. Abstentions: 4. 
Paragraph 2.3.1, second sentence: 
Delete the phrase 'without which some of the Member States will not be in a position to accept, and tolerate, such a 
high level of liberalization'. Amend the subsequent sentences to read as follows: 
'This is one of the objectives which will ensure that the EEC is not only an integrated market, but also a sufficiently 
homogeneous one. The Council, in its decisions, must not underestimate the importance of this objective.' 
Reasons 
Homogeneity of the market cannot be postulated as a precondition, as a premise of market integration. 
Homogeneity can be an objective and a result, but not a premise. 
Result of the vote 
For: 21. Against: 74. Abstentions: 11. 
Point 3.4.2: 
Replace by the following: 
'As regards the right of establishment and freedom to provide services of the liberal professions, the Committee 
considers that there must be general provisions made for access to all professions contemporaneously with a 
mutual recognition of higher education diplomas in the spirit of the Commission proposals which it is currently 
examining.' 
Result of the vote 
For: 30. Against: 71. Abstentions: 13. 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 75/716/EEC on the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the sulphur content of certain liquid 
fuels (!) 
(85/C 344/10) 
On 12 August 1985, the Council decided, in accordance with Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community, to ask the Economic and Social Committee for an opinion on the 
abovementioned proposal. 
The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services was made responsible for preparing the 
Committee's work on the subject. Later on, the Committee appointed Mr Flum as 
rapporteur-general. 
At its 231st plenary session (meeting of 27 November 1985), the Committee adopted the following 
opinion by a majority. There were three votes against and seven abstentions. 
1. Introduction 
1.1. At present, Directive 75/716/EEC allows a 
maximum sulphur content by weight of 0,3% (type A) or 
0,5 % (type B) for gas oil used for heating or diesel fuel, as 
(>) OJ No C 205, 14. 8. 1985, p. 3. specified in Annex 1. Member States are free to decide which 
limit they wish to apply. 
The average sulphur content in the Community has gradually 
got closer to the lower limit of 0,3 % by weight provided for 
in the Directive. 
31. 12. 85 Official Journal of the 
1.2. The present proposal seeks to abolish the difference 
between types A and B and introduce a general maximum 
sulphur content limit of 0,3 % by weight, as in most Member 
States the standard sulphur content is already close to this 
figure and inter-State trade in petroleum products should not 
be burdened by unnecessary quality criteria. 
1.3. In particularly polluted areas, the use of gas oil with a 
sulphur content of less than 0,3 % by weight, though not less 
than 0,2% by weight, can be prescribed for pressing 
environmental reasons. The entire territory of a State may be 
designated such an area. 
2. General comments 
2.1. The increasing environmental damage connected 
with air pollution affects not only certain forest ecosystems, 
buildings and historic monuments (through the corrosion of 
materials); it poses an increased health risk for the public, 
particularly in adverse weather conditions. 
The Committee therefore welcomes wholeheartedly any 
attempt by the Commission to improve the protection of the 
environment - and with it the quality of life of EEC citizens 
- through suitable measures. 
2.2. One such measure is the planned lowering of the 
sulphur content of light fuel oil and diesel fuel, which the 
Committee supports. 
2.3. The Committee is aware that measures to improve 
the environment may involve economic sacrifices for both 
producers and consumers. 
2.4. National measures alone are no longer enough to 
solve environmental problems. 
Because emissions respect no frontiers, the EEC nations must 
take joint action in collaboration with not just each other but 
Done at Brussels, 27 November 1985. .uropean Communities No C 344/23 
also with the EFTA countries and other neighbouring 
states. 
The Committee considers that environmental protection can 
only be effective and economically feasible if environmental 
protection orders of various kinds are standardized at 
international level. If this is not done, one must count on 
companies moving to countries with less stringent 
environmental protection laws, circumstances permitting. 
The Committee asks the Commission to continue and step up 
its efforts to achieve this objective. 
2.5. It is the Committee's view that environmental 
protection is beneficial to human health and to jobs. But it 
should not lead to additional trade barriers between 
countries. Only standardized laws and other provisions 
applied strictly will ensure equal opportunities and sacrifices 
for national industries. 
The Committee asks the Commission to give special 
attention to this point in its future environmental policy. 
2.6. The Committee welcomes the proposed Directive 
wholeheartedly, which seeks to lower the maximum 
permitted sulphur content of gas oil released for circulation 
within the Community to 0,3 % by weight by 1 July 1987 
and allow Member States the possibility, for pressing 
environmental reasons, of prescribing the use of gas oil with a 
sulphur content of even less than 0,3 % by weight, though 
not less than 0,2% by weight. 
The Commission is asked to report on the implementation of 
this Directive by 1 July 1989. 
This report should also show clearly whether the lowering of 
sulphur content has led to a cleaner environment or whether 
the limit should be lowered further. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Gerd MUHR