No C 282/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 5. 11. 88 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Directive (EEC) on the introduction of compulsory nutrition labelling of 
foodstuffs intended for sale to the ultimate consumer 
COM(88) 489 final — SYN 155 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 7 October 1988) 
(88/C 282/06) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 (a) 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas it is important that measures should be adopted 
with a view to the progressive establishment of the 
internal market by 31 December 1992; whereas the 
internal market will embrace an area without internal 
frontiers in which freedom of movement is ensured for 
goods, persons, services and capital; 
Whereas on . . . the Council adopted Directive ... on 
nutrition labelling rules for foodstuffs intended for sale 
to the ultimate consumer; 
Whereas as a result of the current intense scientific 
activity on the subject of the relationship between diet 
and health, it may be necessary for some elements of 
nutrition labelling to become compulsory; 
Whereas the necessary specific rules are implementing 
measures of a technical nature; whereas their adoption 
should be entrusted to the Commission in order to 
simplify and expedite the procedure, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
1. Where it is necessary to introduce compulsory 
nutrition labelling for foodstuffs, the necessary measures 
shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with 
the procedure laid down in Article 2 and after consul­
tation of the Scientific Committee for Food. 
2. For the purposes of determining whether it is 
necessary to introduce compulsory nutrition labelling, 
the following criteria shall be taken into consideration: 
(a) the existence of epidemiological evidence linking the 
intake of certain foods or nutrients by the population 
or by substantial groups thereof to specific diseases; 
(b) the need to improve the nutrition status of the popu­
lation or substantial groups thereof. 
3. In the preparation of the measures consideration 
shall be given to their practicality and effectiveness 
compared to other measures through which the same 
goals could be achieved. 
4. Any Member State may draw the Commission's 
attention to evidence that the criteria laid down in 
paragraph 2 are satisfied. 
Article 2 
Where the procedure laid down in this Article is to be 
followed the representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the standing Committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken. 
The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, 
within a time limit which the Chairman may law down 
according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by 
taking a vote. 
5. 11. 88 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 282/9 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition 
each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its 
position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the 
opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the 
Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. Article 3 
Member States shall, by ..., bring into force by law, 
regulation or administrative action any provisions 
necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall 
forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
Article 4 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.