31975Y0425(02)

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY FOR A CONSUMER PROTECTION AND INFORMATION POLICY

INTRODUCTION

1. The strengthening and coordination of action for consumer protection within the European Economic Community, aims which were emphasized by the Heads of State or of Government at the Paris summit conference in October 1972, constitute a manifest and widely felt need. The debate in the European Parliament on 20 September 1972, which stressed the need for a coherent and effective consumer protection policy, various subsequent statements made both in the Parliament and in the Economic and Social Committee, work already done in this field by the Community and the Member States and by several international organizations, particularly the Council of Europe and the OECD, bear witness to such a need.

The time has now come to implement a Community policy for consumer protection which, by marshalling, strengthening and supplementing the Community's work in this field, affirms its involvement in improving the quality of life of its peoples.

2. The wide range of experience in the countries of the enlarged Community favours the development of new ideas in the consumer field which, together with the many developments which have taken place in all Member States, point the way to a new deal for the consumer and ways to find a better balance in the protection of his interests.

3. The consumer is no longer seen merely as a purchaser and user of goods and services for personal, family or group purposes but also as a person concerned with the various facets of society which may affect him either directly or indirectly as a consumer. Consumer interests may be summed up by a statement of five basic rights:

(a) the right to protection of health and safety,

(b) the right to protection of economic interests,

(c) the right of redress,

(d) the right to information and education,

(e) the right of representation (the right to be heard).

4. All these rights should be given greater substance by action under specific Community policies such as the economic, common agricultural, social, environment, transport and energy policies as well as by the approximation of laws, all of which affect the consumer's position.

Such action falls within the context of a policy for improving the conditions of life in the Community.

5. This paper sets out the objectives and general principles of a consumer policy. It also sets out a number of priority measures to be taken during the coming years. In such a large and developing field it seemed preferable to limit the amount of work in the initial phase, on the understanding that new guidelines could be evolved on proposals from the Commission as the programme progressed.

I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. THE CONSUMER AND THE ECONOMY

6. While consumer protection has long been an established fact in the Member States of the Community, the concept of a consumer policy is relatively recent. It has developed in response to the abuses and frustrations arising at times from the increased abundance and complexity of goods and services afforded the consumer by an ever-widening market. Although such a market offers certain advantages, the consumer, in availing himself of the market, is no longer able properly to fulfil the role of a balancing factor. As market conditions have changed, the balance between suppliers and customers has tended to become weighted in favour of the supplier. The discovery of new materials, the introduction of new methods of manufacture, the development of means of communication, the expansion of markets, new methods of retailing - all these factors have had the effect of increasing the production, supply and demand of an immense variety of goods and services. This means that the consumer, in the past usually an individual purchaser in a small local market, has become merely a unit in a mass market, the target of advertising campaigns and of pressure by strongly organized production and distribution groups. Producers and distributors often have a greater opportunity to determine market conditions than the consumer. Mergers, cartels and certain self-imposed restrictions on competition have also created imbalances to the detriment of consumers.

7. Trade practices, contractual terms, consumer credit and the very concept of competition itself have all developed.

Such changes have merely accentuated the abovementioned imbalances and made consumers and governments more aware of the need to keep the former better informed of their rights and protected against abuses which might arise from such practices.

Thus practices which were once regarded in many countries as unfair solely in terms of competition between producers (misleading advertising, for example), are now also considered from the point of view of relations between producers and consumers.

8. Attempts have been made to correct the imbalance of power between producers and consumers mentioned in paragraphs 6 and 7. Increasingly detailed information is therefore needed to enable consumers, as far as possible, to make better use of their resources, to have a freer choice between the various products or services offered and to influence prices and product and market trends. Thus studies, surveys and comparative tests have been carried out on the quality and usefulness of products and services on price policy, market conditions, consumer behaviour and the rationalization of work in the home, etc.

9. Well aware that as individuals they have very little power, consumers are understandably trying to form organizations to protect their interests, and calls for greater consumer participation in decision-making have likewise become more numerous.

B. THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND CONSUMERS

10. The preamble to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community cites as one of the basic aims of the Community "the constant improvement of the living and working conditions" of the peoples constituting the Community. This idea is elaborated in Article 2 of the Treaty which includes among the tasks of the Community the promotion of "harmonious development of economic activities, a continuous and balanced expansion, an increase in stability, an accelerated raising of the standard of living".

To achieve this aim, a number of steps have already been taken in accordance with the form and means provided by the Treaty.

11. Article 39 of the Treaty contains a direct reference to consumers. It states that the objectives of the common agricultural policy include the guaranteed availability of supplies and the stabilization of markets, and then mentions also the aim "to ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices".

12. In dealing with rules on competition, Article 85 (3) of the Treaty makes authorization for certain agreements between undertakings subject to the consumer receiving "a fair share" of the resulting benefit, while Article 86 gives as an example of unfair practices "limiting production, markets or technical development to the prejudice of consumers".

13. Annex 1 contains a note of action of interest to consumers taken by the Community so far.

Annex 2 contains a selection of Council Directives of interest to consumers.

Although the general Community policy is the outcome of a compromise between the conflicting economic interest and diverse policies of the Member States, it is apparent that progress has been made in consumer protection and information ; however, further progress must still be made.

II. OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY POLICY TOWARDS CONSUMERS

14. Given the tasks assigned to the Community, it follows that all action taken has repercussions on the consumer. One of the Community's prime objectives, in general terms, is therefore to take full account of consumer interests in the various sectors of Community activity, and to satisfy their collective and individual needs. Thus there would seem to be a need to formulate a specific Community consumer information and protection policy. In relation to the other common policies, such a policy would take the form of a general guideline aimed at improving the position of consumers whatever the production, distribution or service sector in question. The aims of such a policy are to secure:

A. effective protection against hazards to consumer health and safety,

B. effective protection against damage to consumers' economic interests,

C. adequate facilities for advice, help and redress,

D. consumer information and education,

E. consultation with and representation of consumers in the framing of decisions affecting their interests.

A. PROTECTION OF CONSUMER HEALTH AND SAFETY

15. Measures for achieving this objective should be based on the following principles:

(a) PRINCIPLES

(i) Goods and services offered to consumers must be such that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they present no risk to the health or safety of consumers. There should be quick and simple procedures for withdrawing them from the market in the event of their presenting such risks.

In general, consumers should be informed in an appropriate manner of any risk liable to result from a foreseeable use of goods and services, taking account of the nature of the goods and services and of the persons for whom they are intended.

(ii) The consumer must be protected against the consequences of physical injury caused by defective products and services supplied by manufacturers of goods and providers of services.

(iii) Substances or preparations which may form part of or be added to foodstuffs should be defined and their use regulated, for example by endeavouring to draw up in Community rules, dear and precise positive lists. Any processing which foodstuffs may undergo should also be defined and their use regulated where this is required to protect the consumer.

Foodstuffs should not be adulterated or contaminated by packaging or other materials with which they come into contact, by their environment, by the conditions in which they are transported or stored or by persons coming into contact with them, in such a way that they affect the health or safety of consumers or otherwise become unfit for consumption.

(iv) Machines, appliances and electrical and electronic equipment and any other category of goods which may prejudicially affect the health and safety of consumers either in themselves or by their use, should be covered by special rules and be subject to a procedure recognized or approved by the public authorities (such as type approval or declaration of conformity with harmonized standards or rules) to ensure that they are safe for use.

(v) Certain categories of new products which may prejudicially affect the health or safety of consumers should be made subject to special authorization procedures harmonized throughout the Community.

(b) PRIORITIES

16. In order to promote the free movement of goods, the Community is already actively pursuing a policy of approximation of laws in the agricultural, foodstuffs and industrial sectors. The Council has adopted several programmes (1) relating to specific fields, with a view to harmonizing the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in the Member States. These programmes establish priority objectives for the approximation of legislation and a timetable for achieving them. The fields which are of special importance for the protection of the consumer's health and safety are the following:

- foodstuffs,

- cosmetics and detergents,

- utensils and consumer durables,

- cars,

- textiles,

- toys,

- dangerous substances,

- materials coming into contact with foodstuffs,

- medicines,

- fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides,

- veterinary products and animal feedingstuffs (2).

(1) - General programme for the elimination of technical barriers to trade in industrial products and foodstuffs resulting from disparities between the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative provisions in the Member States, laid down by the Council resolution of 28 May 1969 (OJ No C 76, 17.6.1969, p. 1) and supplemented by the Council resolution of 21 May 1973 (OJ No C 38, 5.6.1973, p. 1).

- Action programme of 17 December 1973 on industrial and technological policy (Council resolution of 17 December 1973, OJ No C 117, 31.12.1973, p. 1).

(2) Council resolution of 22 July 1974 (OJ No C 92, 6.8.1974, p. 2).

17. In this field the Community will:

- implement the programmes referred to in paragraph 16, particularly as regards consumer priorities;

- continue to study the results of current research into substances which may affect the health or safety of consumers, as mentioned particularly in paragraph 16 and, if necessary, take steps to coordinate and encourage such research;

- determine those products or categories of products which, because of the hazards they present to health or safety, should be subject to harmonized authorization procedures throughout the Community.

B. PROTECTION OF THE ECONOMIC INTERESTS OF THE CONSUMERS

18. This kind of protection should be ensured by laws and regulations which are either harmonized at Community level or adopted directly at that level and are based on the principles set out below (*).

(a) PRINCIPLES

19. (i) Purchasers of goods or services should be protected against the abuse of power by the seller, in particular against one-sided standard contracts (*), the unfair exclusion of essential rights in contracts, harsh conditions of credit, demands for payment for unsolicited goods and against high-pressure selling methods.

(ii) The consumer should be protected against damage to his economic interests caused by defective products or unsatisfactory services.

(iii) The presentation and promotion of goods and services, including financial services, should not be designed to mislead, either directly or indirectly, the person to whom they are offered or by whom they have been requested.

(iv) No form of advertising - visual or aural - should mislead the potential buyer of the product or service. An advertiser in any medium should be able to justify, by appropriate means, the validity of any claims he makes.

(v) All information provided on labels at the point of sale or in advertisements must be accurate.

(vi) The consumer is entitled to reliable after-sales service for consumer durables including the provision of spare parts required to carry out repairs.

(vii) The range of goods available to consumers should be such that as far as possible consumers are offered an adequate choice.

(b) PRIORITIES

20. (i) To harmonize the general conditions of consumer credit, including those relating to hire-purchase

Studies carried out following the recent development of credit facilities show that the consumer needs help in this field.

21. On the basis of studies already carried out by its own departments and by national authorities, the Commission will submit proposals on the general conditions of consumer credit.

(*) See paragraph 48.

22. (ii) To protect the consumer by appropriate measures against false or misleading advertising:

- by establishing principles for assessing the extent to which an advertisement is false, misleading or generally unfair;

- by taking steps to prevent the consumer's economic interests from being harmed by false, misleading or unfair advertising;

- by studying methods of putting a rapid end to deceptive or misleading advertising campaigns and ensuring that advertisers' claims are valid;

- by studying the possibility of counteracting the effects of false or misleading advertising, for example by publishing corrective advertisements;

- by studying the problems arising in connection with reversal of the burden of proof.

23. To this end, the Commission will:

- build upon the work already done (*), supplementing it where necessary by specific studies;

- proceed with the work being done in connection with the harmonization of laws;

- submit appropriate proposals to the Council.

24. (iii) To protect consumers from unfair commercial practices, for example in the following areas:

- terms of contracts (*),

- conditions in guarantees, particularly for consumer durables,

- door-to-door sales (*),

- premium offers,

- unsolicited goods and services,

- information given on labels and packaging, etc.

25. To this end, the Commission will:

- collate the measures already taken by the Member States and the studies already made or being made by international organizations;

- submit all appropriate proposals to the Council.

26. (iv) To harmonize the law on product liability so as to provide better protection for the consumer

27. To this end, the Commission will submit appropriate proposals to the Council on the basis of studies already carried out or in progress (*).

28. (v) To improve the range and quality of services provided for consumers

29. In this complex and, for the most part, little-researched field, there is great scope for discussion and action on the part of the Community. The Commission will carry out a study in this area. It will report its conclusions before 31 December 1975, and, if appropriate, submit proposals.

(*) See paragraph 48.

30. (vi) To promote the more general economic interests of consumers

In order better to satisfy the individual and collective needs of consumers, solutions should be sought to certain general problems such as:

- how the individual can obtain better value for money for the goods and services supplied;

- how waste can be prevented, particularly as regards:

- packaging,

- the life of goods,

- the recycling of materials;

- how protection can be provided against forms of advertising which encroach on the individual freedom of consumers.

31. Given that the concern for such matters is relatively recent, the Commission will endeavour to establish through research a basis for future action.

C. ADVICE, HELP AND REDRESS

(a) PRINCIPLES

32. Consumers should receive advice and help in respect of complaints and of injury or damage resulting from purchase or use of defective goods or unsatisfactory services.

Consumers are also entitled to proper redress for such injury or damage by means of swift, effective and inexpensive procedures.

(b) ACTION

33. To this end, the Commission will:

(i) study:

- systems of assistance and advice in the Member States,

- systems of redress, arbitration and the amicable settlement of disputes existing in the Member States,

- the laws of the Member States relating to consumer protection in the courts, particularly the various means of recourse and procedures, including actions brought by consumer associations or other bodies,

- systems and laws of the kind referred to above in certain third countries;

(ii) publish papers synthesizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the different systems, procedures and documentation relating to consumer assistance, advice and to redress and legal remedies;

(iii) submit, where necessary, appropriate proposals for improving the existing systems and putting them to better use;

(iv) study the feasibility of a procedure for exchanging information on the outcome of action for redress and legal recourse relating to products mass-marketed in all or several Member States.

D. CONSUMER INFORMATION AND EDUCATION

Consumer information

(a) PRINCIPLES

34. Sufficient information should be made available to the purchaser of goods or services to enable him to:

- assess the basic features of the goods and services offered such as the nature, quality, quantity and price;

- make a rational choice between competing products and services;

- use these products and services safely and to his satisfaction;

- claim redress for any injury or damage resulting from the product supplied or service received.

(b) PRIORITIES

35. (i) Information concerning goods and services

- to formulate general principles which should apply in the preparation of all specific directives and other rules relating to consumer protection;

- to lay down rules for the labelling of products for which specifications are harmonized at Community level. These rules should provide that all labelling must be clear, legible and unambiguous;

- for foodstuffs, to draw up rules stating clearly the particulars that should be given to the consumer (e.g., the nature, composition, weight or volume, the food value, the date of manufacture or any other useful date marking, etc.);

- for products other than foodstuffs, and for services, to draw up rules stating clearly the particulars which are of interest to the consumer and which should be given to him;

- to draw up common principles for stating the price and possibly the price per unit of weight or volume;

- to encourage the use and harmonization of systems of voluntary informative labelling.

36. (ii) Comparative tests

Comparative tests are another source of information. Such tests may be carried out by state-financed bodies, private bodies or a combination of the two. These bodies would have much to gain from a coordinated exchange of information (*).

The Commission will take the necessary steps to ensure that the bodies carrying out comparative tests in the Member States cooperate as closely as possible, particularly by conducting tests jointly and even by laying down similar standards for such tests.

37. (iii) Study of consumer behaviour

In order to establish an integrated policy on consumer information and education, more needs to be known about consumer behaviour and attitudes. The Commission already conducts regular consumer surveys on certain aspects of the Community's economic situation. It will continue these surveys and extend them to other subjects, in cooperation with Member States, consumer organizations and other bodies, so as to learn more about the needs and behaviour of consumers within the Community.

(*) See paragraph 48.

38. (iv) To inform consumers in simple terms of measures taken at national and Community level which may directly or indirectly affect their interests.

39. For the Commission, such action will comprise in particular:

- setting out the categories of consumer information about goods and services which are most needed for consumers in the Community and preparing documentation on that basis;

- providing an increasing amount and range of clear information on consumer matters being dealt with by the Community, in close cooperation with Member States and consumer and other organizations;

- encouraging the production of television and radio programmes and films and the publication of press articles, etc., on consumer topics;

- publishing an annual report on steps taken by the Community and the Member States in the consumer interest by legislation and its implementation, information, consultation and coordination.

(v) Information on prices

40. Consumers should be informed of the factors determining prices within the Community.

Such information will be supplied by the Commission, particularly in the annual report mentioned in paragraph 39.

41. The Commission should continue to carry out surveys of retail prices and endeavour to inform the public as soon as possible of price differences within the Community.

Consumer education

(a) PRINCIPLE

42. Facilities should be made available to children as well as to young people and adults to educate them to act as discriminating consumers, capable of making an informed choice of goods and services and conscious of their rights and responsibilities. To this end, consumers should, in particular, benefit from basic information on the principles of modern economics.

(b) ACTION

43. (i) Promotion of consumer education

In order to further the advance of consumer education by providing advice and opinions at Community level, the Commission should undertake further studies in cooperation with Member States and consumer organizations.

The object of such studies, carried out in conjunction with experts from the Member States, should be to determine methods and suggest materials for the encouragement of consumer education in the curricula of schools, universities and other educational establishments.

44. (ii) Training the instructors

Training those who are to instruct others is a necessary task on which a number of ideas have been advanced. For instance, centres could be set up in the Member States to provide such training, based on the results of economic and sociological research. Exchanges of ideas, of staff and of students between such centres have also been considered. The Commission will encourage work in this field.

45. (iii) Dissemination of a wide range of information

As part of its general information policy, the Commission will encourage the exchange and dissemination of information on topics of interest to consumers, in cooperation with national authorities and bodies concerned with consumer affairs. Publication of the annual report referred to in paragraph 39 will also provide a means of increasing consumer awareness.

E. CONSUMER CONSULTATION AND REPRESENTATION

(a) PRINCIPLES

46. When decisions which concern them are prepared, consumers should be consulted and allowed to express their views, in particular through organizations concerned with consumer protection and information.

(b) ACTION

47. In this field, the Commission will:

(i) carry out on the basis of existing studies (*) a comparative study of the different procedures for consumer consultation, representation and participation currently employed in the Member States and in particular the rules and criteria relating to how representative consumer organizations are and whether they are to be recognized by the authorities;

(ii) encourage organizations representing consumers to study certain matters of particular importance for consumers, to make known their views and coordinate their efforts;

(iii) promote exchanges of information between Member States on the most appropriate way of providing consumers with channels through which to be consulted or to express their views.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

48. In implementing its programme, the Commission will take full account of studies and other work already carried out by the Member States, international bodies (1) and consumer organizations, and will collaborate with them so as to enable the Community to take advantage of work already in progress.

In this context, cooperation with the Council of Europe and OECD is of particular importance in view of the work (indicated by an asterisk in this programme) undertaken by these organizations on subjects relating to consumer protection and information.

The importance of such collaboration cannot be over-emphasized and everything possible will be done to maintain and develop the close links and harmonious relations already established or in the making in the field of consumer affairs.

(*) See paragraph 48.

(1)The bodies with which collaboration will be maintained include:

- United Nations ; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ; World Health Organization ; Food and Agriculture Organization and Codex Alimentarius ; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ; Council of Europe ; Nordic Committee on Consumer Matters;

- International Standards Organization and International Electrotechnical Commission ; European Committee for Standardization and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization.

49. This text should be regarded as the first stage of a more comprehensive programme which might need to be developed at a later date. The aim is to complete this first stage within four years.

APPENDIX 1

ACTION OF INTEREST TO CONSUMERS TAKEN BY THE COMMUNITY SO FAR

The development of the European Economic Community and the establishment of a customs union have been of interest to consumers particularly in the following areas:

(a) Widening of consumer choice

Free movement of products has given consumers a wider choice and ensured more regular supplies.

(b) Competition and prices

Application of Articles 85 and 86 of the Treaty has helped to maintain competition in the common market with the resultant effect on pricing.

(c) Harmonization of rules

The interests of consumers, particularly with regard to health and safety, have been taken into consideration in the drafting of several directives on agriculture and industrial products (examples are given in Annex 2).

(d) Consumer information and representation

Information made available by the information services of the Commission has been supplemented by a number of statements issued by the Consumers' Contact Committee which existed from 1962 to 1972.

The Commission has now established the Environment and Consumer Protection Service, one of the Divisions of which specializes in consumer information and protection.

To fill the gap left after the Contact Committee was disbanded, the Commission has set up a Consumers' Consultative Committee (Decision of 25 September 1973 (1)), which met for the first time on 19 November 1973.

There are also a number of other Advisory Committees on which, in addition to consumers, producers and other interests are represented, particularly in the agricultural and customs sectors.

(1) OJ No L 283, 10.10.1973, p. 18.

APPENDIX 2

A SELECTION OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVES OF INTEREST TO CONSUMERS

(as at 31 May 1974)

FOODSTUFFS

1. Authorized colouring matters:

Approximation of rules:

Directive of 23 October 1962 (OJ No 115 of 1962, p. 2645/62), as amended by Directive Nos:

- 65/469/EEC (OJ No L 178 of 1965, p. 2793/65),

- 67/653/EEC (OJ No 263 of 1967, p. 4),

- 68/419/EEC (OJ No L 309 of 1968, p. 24),

- 70/358/EEC (OJ No L 157 of 1970, p. 36).

2. Authorized preservatives:

(a) Approximation of laws:

Directive No 64/54/EEC of 5 November 1963 (OJ No 12 of 1964, p. 161/64), as amended by Directive Nos:

- 65/66/EEC (OJ No 22 of 1965, p. 373/65),

- 66/722/EEC (OJ No 233 of 1966, p. 3947/66),

- 67/427/EEC (OJ No 148 of 1967, p. 1),

- 68/420/EEC (OJ No L 309 of 1968, p. 25),

- 70/359/EEC (OJ No L 157 of 1970, p. 38),

- 71/160/EEC (OJ No L 87 of 1971, p. 12),

- 72/2/EEC (OJ No L 298 of 1972, p. 48),

- 74/62/EEC (OJ No L 38 of 1974, p. 29).

(b) Criteria of purity for authorized preservatives : Directive No 65/66/EEC of 26 January 1965 (OJ No 22 of 1965, p. 373/65), as amended by Directive No 67/428/EEC (OJ No 148 of 1967, p. 10), revision OJ No 126 of 1965, p. 2148/65.

(c) Use and control measures for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of preservatives in and on fruit : Directive No 67/427/EEC of 27 June 1967 (OJ No 148 of 1967, p. 1).

3. Authorized antioxidants in foodstuffs:

Directive No 70/357/EEC of 13 July 1970 (OJ No L 157 of 1970, p. 31).

4. Cocoa and chocolate products:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/241/EEC of 24 July 1973 (OJ No L 288 of 1973, p. 23).

5. Sugar:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/437/EEC of 11 December 1973 (OJ No L 356 of 1973, p. 71).

VETERINARY DIRECTIVES

1. Directive on animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine:

Directive No 64/432/EEC of 26 June 1964 (OJ No 121 of 1964, p. 1977/64), as amended by Directive Nos:

- 66/600/EEC (OJ No 192 of 1966, p. 3294/66),

- 70/360/EEC (OJ No L 157 of 1970, p. 40),

- 71/285/EEC (OJ No L 179 of 1971, p. 1),

- 72/97/EEC (OJ No L 38 of 1972, p. 95),

- 72/445/EEC (OJ No L 298 of 1972, p. 49),

- 73/150/EEC (OJ No L 172 of 1973, p. 18).

2. Health problems affecting trade in fresh poultrymeat:

Directive No 71/118/EEC of 15 February 1971 (OJ No L 55 of 1971, p. 23).

3. Health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat:

Directive No 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 (OJ No 121 of 1964, p. 2012/64), as amended by Directive Nos:

- 66/601/EEC (OJ No 192 of 1966, p. 3302/66),

- 69/349/EEC (OJ No L 256 of 1969, p. 5),

- 70/486/EEC (OJ No L 239 of 1970, p. 42).

ANIMAL NUTRITION

1. Introduction of Community methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of feedingstuffs:

Directive No 70/373/EEC of 20 July 1970 (OJ No L 170 of 1970, p. 1), as amended by Directive No 72/275/EEC (OJ No L 171 of 1972, p. 39).

2. Additives in feedingstuffs:

Directive No 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 (OJ No L 270 of 1970, p. 1), as amended by Directive No 73/103/EEC (OJ No L 124 of 1973, p. 17).

3. Undesirable substances and products in feedingstuffs:

Directive No 74/63/EEC of 17 December 1973 (OJ No L 38 of 1974, p. 31).

HEALTH PROTECTION

1. Proprietary medicinal products:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 65/65/EEC of 26 January 1965 (OJ No 22 of 1965, p. 369/65), as amended. by Directive No 66/454/EEC (OJ No 144 of 1966, p. 2658/66.

2. Classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances:

(a) Approximation of laws : Directive No 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 (OJ No 196 of 1967, p. 1), as amended by Directive Nos:

- 70/189/EEC (OJ No L 59 of 1970, p. 33),

- 71/144/EEC (OJ No L 74 of 1971, p. 15),

- 73/146/EEC (OJ No L 167 of 1973, p. 1).

(b) Classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (solvents) : Directive No 73/173/EEC of 4 June 1973 (OJ No 189 of 1973, p. 7).

TEXTILES

1. Textile names:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 71/307/EEC of 26 July 1971 (OJ No L 185 of 1971, p. 16).

2. Quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre mixtures:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 72/276/EEC of 17 July 1972 (OJ No L 173 of 1972, p. 1).

3. Quantitative analysis of ternary textile fibre mixtures:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/44/EEC of 26 February 1973 (OJ No L 83 of 1973, p. 1).

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Detergents

1. Detergents:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/404/EEC of 22 November 1973 (OJ No L 347 of 1973, p. 51).

2. Methods of testing the biodegradability of anionic surfactants:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/405/EEC of 22 November 1973 (OJ No L 347 of 1973, p. 53).

Crystal glass

Description and labelling of crystal glass : Directive No 69/493/EEC of 15 December 1969 (OJ No L 326 of 1969, p. 36).

Non-automatic weighing machines

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/360/EEC of 19 November 1973 (OJ No L 335 of 1973, p. 1).

Electrical equipment for use within certain voltage limits

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 (OJ No L 77 of 1973, p. 29).

MOTOR VEHICLES AND THEIR USE

1. Measures against air pollution by gases from positive-ignition engines of motor vehicles:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 70/220/EEC of 20 March 1970 (OJ No L 76 of 1970, p. 1).

2. Liquid fuel tanks and rear protective devices for motor vehicles and their trailers:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 70/221/EEC of 20 March 1970 (OJ No L 76 of 1970, p. 23).

3. Steering equipment for motor vehicles and their trailers:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 70/311/EEC of 8 June 1970 (OJ No L 133 of 1970, p. 10).

4. Type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 (OJ No L 42 of 1970, p. 1).

5. Permissible sound level and exhaust system of motor vehicles:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 70/157/EEC of 6 February 1970 (OJ No L 42 of 1970, p. 16).

6. Braking devices for certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers:

Approximation of laws : Directive No 71/320/EEC of 26 July 1971 (OJ No L 202 of 1971, p. 37).

7. Insurance against civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability:

Directive No 72/166/EEC of 24 April 1972 (OJ No L 103 of 1972, p. 1).

8. Audible warning devices for motor vehicles:

Directive No 70/388/EEC of 27 July 1970 (OJ No L 176 of 1970, p. 12).

9. Doors of motor vehicles:

Directive No 70/387/EEC of 27 July 1970 (OJ No L 176 of 1970, p. 5).

10. Rear-view mirrors of motor vehicles:

Directive No 71/127/EEC of 1 March 1971 (OJ No L 68 of 1971, p. 1).

11. Measures against the emission of pollutants from diesel engines:

Directive No 72/306/EEC of 2 August 1972 (OJ No L 190 of 1972, p. 1).

12. Interior fittings of motor vehicles:

Directive No 74/60/EEC of 17 December 1973 (OJ No L 38 of 1974, p. 2).

13. Devices to prevent the unauthorized use of motor vehicles:

Directive No 74/61/EEC of 17 December 1973 (OJ No L 38 of 1974, p. 22).

MATERIAL MEASURES OF LENGTH

Approximation of laws : Directive No 73/362/EEC of 19 November 1973 (OJ No L 335 of 1973, p. 56).

ENLARGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY

Amendment of certain Directives following the enlargement of the Community (OJ No L 326 of 1973, p. 17).