51996AC0090

Opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment

(96/C 97/02)

On 29 January 1996, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 100a of the Treaty establishing the European Community on the above-mentioned 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 January 1996. The Rapporteur was Mr Wright.

At its 332nd Plenary Session (meeting of 31 January 1996), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. General comments

The Committee has in due time expressed its Opinion () on the substantial aspects of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive ().

The purpose of the draft Directive now presented by the Commission is to repeal the obligation to indicate on every item of PPE the year in which the EC marking was affixed. No aspects relating to users' health and safety will be diminished, and proper technical consultation of interested parties (which expressed their approval) has been carried on by the Commission.

The Committee approves, therefore, this proposal aimed to simplify costly administrative requirements imposed on the manufacturers.

Done at Brussels, 31 January 1996.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() OJ No C 337, 31. 12. 1988.