21. 5. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 128/39 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision introducing a Community system of 
information on accidents in which products are involved, outside the spheres of 
occupational activities and road traffic 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 252 fo 24 October 1978, page 2. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 16 October 1978 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 165th 
plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 January 1979. 
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 16 October 1978 for an 
opinion, 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
18 October 1978 in anticipation of the request for an 
opinion, instructing the Section for Protection of the 
Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs to 
draw up an opinion and a report on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion issued by that Section on 
3 January 1979, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur, Mr Fassina, 
Having regard to the discussions at its meeting on 
24 January 1979 (165th plenary session), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The Committee approves the Commission's 
proposal to introduce a system of information between 
the Member States on accidents in which products are involved, outside the spheres of occupational activities 
and road traffic. 
2. The Committee notes that the proposal represents 
the first step towards direct action to control accidents 
in the home. It hopes that such action will be taken with 
the appropriate instruments reasonably quickly. 
3. The Committee refers to the Commission's 
statement of the causes of accidents which may result 
from goods or products either in themselves or by their 
use. It stresses the need both to provide adequate 
information on the risks attached to the use of such 
products and to ensure that such products come with 
precise, detailed instructions on how to install and 
operate them. 
4. The draft Decision stipulates that its scope can only 
be extended by a unanimous Council decision. 
Although the draft has been submitted under Treaty 
Article 235, which requires unanimity, the Committee 
feels that any decision on the extension of the Decision's 
scope should be taken by a qualified majority. 
Specific comments 
Article 1 
In order to make clear those areas to which this 
Decision does not apply, the Committee feels that 
No C 128/40 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 5. 79 
express reference should be made to sporting activities, 
which would not appear to be covered by the Decision. 
Article 7 
The Committee suggests the following addition to 
paragraph 2: 
'The Committee may take decisions solely in respect 
of technical problems connected with the 
administration of the information system'. 
Done at Brussels, 24 January 1979. 
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 100 
thereof 
Having regard to the request by the Council of the 
European Communities on 14 August 1978 for an 
opinion, Annex 1 
The Committee notes that the size of the Community 
sample — 321 400 cases per year — is based on the 
British experience. This should be regarded as a suitable 
representative figure and should serve as the basis for 
improvement in the data, which in turn will provide the 
groundwork for achieving the objectives outlined by the 
Commission in its introductory report. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fabrizia BADUEL GLORIOSO 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 
18 October 1978, instructing the Section for Protection 
of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Af­
fairs to prepare an opinion and a report on the matter, 
Having regard to the opinion issued by that Section on 
3 January 1979, Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the methods of measurement and 
frequencies of sampling and analysis of the parameters of the quality required of surface 
water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 208 of 1 September 1978, page 2. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 14 August 1978 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 COMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 165th 
plenary session held in Brussels on 24 and 25 January 1979.