28.11.77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 303/23 (Acts whose publication is not 6bli'gatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 7 November 1977 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States. relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of paints, varnishes, printing inks, adhesives and similar products -{77/728/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, . Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro- pean Economic Community, and  in particular. Article 100 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Com mission, - v : Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (1), : Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), : Whereas dangerous substances and preparations are subject to rules in the Member States; whereas there are considerable differences between these national rules particularly as regards labelling but equally as regards classification according to the degree of risk; whereas these differences constitute a considerable barrier to trade and directly affect the establishment and functioning of the common market; Whereas it is therefore necessary to eliminate this obstacle and, in order to attain this objective, to () OJ No C 28, 9. 2. 1976, p. 34. (* OJ No C 35, 16. 2. 1976, p. 26. Member States; approximate the relevant legislation existing in the Whereas rules relating to dangerous substances have already been laid down in Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of -laws, regulations and administrative: provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (3), as last amended by Directive 76/907/EEC (*); whereas rules concerning dangerous preparations (solvents) have also been laid down in Council Directive 73/173/EEC of 4 June 1973 on the approximation of Member States’ laws, regulations and administrative pro- - visions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (solvents) (5); Whereas it is now necessary to lay down similar rules for preparations intended to be used as paints, ~varnishes, printing inks, adhesives and similar products, and containing dangerous substances; - Whereas preparations containing one or more of these dangerous substances are frequently used for industrial, farming, craft and domestic purposes, it (®) OJ No 19, 16. 8. 1967, p. 1. () OJ No L 360, 30. 12. 1976, p. 1. ' (*) OJ No L 189, 11.7. 1973, p. 7.