ISSN 0378-6986 Official Journal C 287 Volume 35 of the European Communities 4 November 1992 English edition Information and Notices Notice No Contents Page I Information II Preparatory Acts Economic and Social Committee Session of july 1992 92/C 287/01 Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Decision approving certain amendments to the agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances, as signed in Bonn on 13 September 1983 1 92/C 287/02 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts 2 92/C 287/03 Opinion on 'Europe 2000 : Outlook for the development of the Community's territory' 5 92/C 287/04 Opinion on : — the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) introducing a Declaration of European Interest to facilitate the establishment of trans-European net­ works in the transport domain, — the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) introducing a Declaration of European Interest to facilitate the establishment of trans-European net­ works in the electricity and natural gas domain, and — the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) introducing a Declaration of European Interest to facilitate the establishment of trans-European net­ works in the telecommunications domain 12 2 ( Continued overleaf) Notice No Contents (Continued) Page 92/C 287/05 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) on the transfer of controls in the field of road and inland waterway transport to the Community's external frontiers 14 92/C 287/06 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation (EEC) amending for the second time Regulation (EEC) No 4028/86 on Community measures to improve and adapt structures in the fisheries and aquaculture sector 15 92/C 287/07 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive providing for changes to the Seventh Council Directive on aid to shipbuilding of 21 December 1990 ... 16 92/C 287/08 Opinion on 'Adoption' 18 92/C 287/09 Opinion on the proposal for a Resolution of the Council of the European Communities on a Community programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development 27 92/C 287/10 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to labelling of the materials used in the main components of footwear for sale to the final consumer 36 92/C 287/ 11 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the approval of the additional Protocol to the Convention on the International Commission for the Protection of the Elbe 38 92/C 287/12 Opinion on the 'First Report on the Application of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers' 39 92/C 287/13 Opinion on 'Social Developments in the Community in 1991 ' 48 92/C 287/14 Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights 53 4 . 11 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 287/ 1 II (Preparatory Acts) ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE Opinion on the Proposal for a Council Decision approving certain amendments to the agreement for cooperation in dealing with pollution of the North Sea by oil and other harmful substances, as signed in Bonn on 13 September 1983 ( 92/C 287/01 ) On 5 May 1992 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 130S of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the abovementioned proposal . The Section for Protection of the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Affairs, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 2 June 1992. The Rapporteur was Mr Gafo Fernandez . At its 298th Plenary Session ( meeting of 1 July 1992) the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion . 1 . The Committee approves this Commission initiat­ 4. Although the signatories to the Agreement (Con­ ive to bring up to date and improve the technical and tracting Parties) are states, the oil and marine transport preventive aspects of the Agreement initially signed in industries should also be involved in the implemen­ 1984. tation of the Agreements. The Agreements already pro­ vide mechanisms for cooperation on the prevention and handling of spills of oil and other dangerous substances, and on financing these activities and the consequent civil liabilities. However, it is essential that these sectors be more intensively involved, with more activities in 2. The eight years which have elapsed since the initial the field of prevention and exchanges of technical infor­ Agreement was signed demonstrate the need to comp­ mation and data . lement corrective activities with measures to improve information and prevention systems. This new philos­ ophy is in line with the Community's environmental objectives laid down in Article 130R of the EEC Treaty . 5 . The Committee welcomes the definition of the Contracting Parties' surveillance duties in their exclus­ ive zones of responsibility and the conclusion of agree­ ments with other contracting parties to these ends. 3 . The Committee is pleased to see this preventive philosophy extended to both the objectives of the Agree­ ment and practical aspects, such as greater cooperation 6. The Committee also welcomes the change in the between the Contracting Parties and the regular demarcation zone of the Skagerrak, which rectifies an exchange of technical and surveillance data. error in the initial agreement. No C 287/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 4. 11 . 92 7. Finally, the Committee would like to draw amendments, approved in September 1989, will have attention to the need to accelerate and promote taken three years to be ratified by the Contracting the implementation of the Agreements. The present Parties. Done at Brussels, 1 July 1992. The Chairman of the Economic and Social Committee Michael GEUENICH Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to lifts 0 ) (92/C 287/02) On 4 March 1992 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 100A of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, on the abovementioned proposal . The Section for Industry, Commerce, Crafts and Services, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 10 June 1992. The Rapporteur was Mr Pearson . At its 298th Plenary Session ( meeting of 1 July 1992 ) the Economic and Social Committee adopted unanimously the following Opinion . 1 . Introduction 1 .4. The Committee notes the assurance of the Com­ mission that with the repeal of Directive 84/529/EEC, 1.1 . The Committee particularly welcomes the pro­ there will be no reduction in safety standards . The posals to replace Directive 84/529/EEC (2) — and as Committee however thinks that a CEN harmonized twice amended — as it has, since 27 February 1976, standard would be of advantage; it should serve as a consistently called for a Directive in which provision is basis and point of reference for manufacturers within made for total harmonization . the Member States : it would include minimum detailed safety requirements for the protection of users . 1.2 . The Committee further notes with satisfaction that the new Directive is based on the 'new approach' system, whereby the anomalies created between Com­ munity and national requirements will be eliminated : 2. General comments these requirements will be mandatory and not voluntary as hitherto . 2.1 . The Committee welcomes the proposed Direc­ 1.3 . As the title shows, the new proposals include all tive which sets clear improved standards for new lifts . types of lifts which are accessible to people; they do, however, apply only to new lifts installed in permanent buildings . 2.2. The Committee believes that the Commission should review and upgrade the safety requirements for existing lifts, setting a common harmonized standard . í 1 ) OJ No C62, 11 . 3 . 1992, p. 4. Analysis of accident records should be involved in such (2) OJ No L300, 19 . 11 . 1984 . a review . 4 . 11 . 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 287/3 2.3 . There are a number of Directives which are c) The Committee is aware that the Commission docu­ contingent upon one another : 'machines', 'lifting equip­ ment refers to a maximum permitted inclination ment', 'lifts' and elements of the Construction Products angle of 15 degrees from vertical : manufacturers, of Directive. The Commission and the Council should be recent date, relate to angle deviation from horizontal very careful that the requirements of these Directives and the Commission should consult on this point do not contradict and that there should be as much and thus a change to maximum permitted level of alignment as possible . 75 degrees from vertical would apply . This change is to facilitate modern design of lifts in public areas which will enable, for example, greater facilities for 2.4. In Directive 84/529/EEC ( Article 2.2) attention the disabled. is drawn to fire protection in the construction of a building housing a lift. The importance of this element 3.1.3 . Article 1 ( 3 ) should be reiterated in the current Directive particularly in view of the increasing provision of fire-fighting lifts The Committee understands that the Directive will in high-rise buildings . include lifts for domestic buildings, lifts for the disabled and goods-only lifts but amongst common examples of those not included in the provisions are lifting platforms 2.5 . Article 7 ( 1 ) ( 2) and (3 ) concerns lifts and safety without cars, escalators and ski-lifts and funiculars . components bearing the CE mark which do not con­ form to the required safety standard, and which have 3.1.4.