Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on statutory plates and inscriptions for motor vehicles and their trailers, and their location and method of attachment COM(2007) 344 final — 2007/0119 (COD)
Date: 2007-09-26
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EC conformity marking, approximation of laws, commercial vehicle, marketing, motor vehicle, vehicle parts

C 10/22

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

15.1.2008

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Directive of the
European Parliament and of the Council on statutory plates and inscriptions for motor vehicles and
their trailers, and their location and method of attachment’

COM(2007) 344 final — 2007/0119 (COD)

(2008/C 10/07)

On 13 July 2007 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 95 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned proposal.

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part,
it decided, at its 438th plenary session of 26 and 27 September 2007 (meeting of 26 September), with
165 votes in favour and 8 abstentions, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.

Brussels, 26 September 2007.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Communication from the
Commission — Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential’

COM(2006) 545 final

(2008/C 10/08)

On 19 October 2006 the Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee,
under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the abovementioned communica-
tion.

The Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, which was responsible for
preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 5 September 2007. The rapporteur
was Mr Iozia.

At its 438th plenary session, held on 26-27 September 2007 (meeting of 27 September), the European
Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 145 votes to one with three abstentions.

1. Conclusions and recommendations

1.1
The European Economic and Social Committee welcomes
and supports the measures proposed by the Commission.
Energy efficiency is the primary, most important area for action
if the goals set out in the Energy Policy for Europe (EPE) are to
be achieved, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which will also
combat global warming, reducing dependence on countries
outside the EU and safeguarding the competitiveness of
the
European system, while maintaining affordable energy supply.

make technically achievable savings of more than 20 %. The
target must go hand in hand with national action plans,
reflecting the different basic financial and technological condi-
targets between
tions, so as to ensure fair distribution of
Member States commensurate with each Member State's poten-
tial. Intermediate goals will need to be set, to be achieved by
2012 and 2016 for instance, so that measures can be stepped
up if progress proves too slow.

In the light,

inter alia, of the recent IPCC (Intergovern-
1.2
mental Panel on Climate Change) report, the EESC considers
this target to be realistic, although it does feel that all possible
endeavours should be made to reduce energy consumption and

The EESC suggests to the Commission that a specific
1.3
debate be opened on lifestyles and ‘quality of life’. The EESC
asks the Commission whether it believes that it really will be
possible to preserve the same lifestyle for future generations,