29.7.78 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 206/13 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 26 June 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (pesticides) (78/631/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas there are in the Member States regulations governing dangerous substances and preparations; whereas these regulations differ, especially as regards labelling to indicate risk and classification according to the degree of danger; whereas these differences consti- tute a barrier to trade and directly affect the establish- ment and functioning of the common market; Whereas it is therefore important to eliminate these barriers and it is necessary, in order to attain this objec- tive, to approximate the relevant legislation existing in the Member States; Whereas rules for 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 classifi- cation, packaging and labelling of dangerous sub- stances (3), as last amended by  Directive 76/907/EEC (*), which covers the active substances in pesticides; whereas it is necessary to introduce parallel rules for dangerous preparations composed of two or more substances; Whereas many dangerous substances and preparations are used in plant and wood protection and pest control; whereas more use is made of preparations than of sub- stances as such in this sector; whereas most of these preparations contain substances which are toxic to varying degrees, so that toxicological classification, () OJ No C 30, 7.2.1977, p. 3S. (3) O] No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 20. (®) OJ No 196, 16. 8. 1967, p. 1. (4) OJ No L 360, 30. 12. 1976, p. 1. together with prescriptions regarding labelling (danger symbols, indications of risk and safety advice) and rules concerning packaging are necessary in order to preclude the risk of damage, particularly to public health, as a result of the marketing of pesticides; Whereas this Directive applies to the classification, packaging and labelling of pesticides; whereas it will in addition be necessary to include in later Directives spe- cial provisions concerning the authorization, distribu- tion and use of these pesticides, which will themselves contain further requirements as to labelling and possibly first aid information for doctors; Whereas the principal objective of this Directive must be to improve the protection of the public and in par- ticular of persons handling pesticides; Whereas this Directive can also contribute, through its requirements as to the indication of risk, to the pro- tection of the consumer; Whereas dangerous preparations used as pesticides may, although conforming to the provisions of this Directive, nevertheless constitute a danger to public health or safety; whereas it is therefore advisable to provide for a procedure intended to reduce this danger, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 1. This Directive shall apply, without prejudice to other relevant Community provisions, to the approxi- mation of the laws of Member States relating to: — the dassification according to danger, — the packaging, and — the labelling to indicate risk, of dangerous preparations (pesticides), hereinafter refer- red to as ‘pesticides’, in the form in which they are supplied to the user and intended for use as pesticides.