28.4.77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 105/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 29 March 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (77/311/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 (23, Whereas, in order to implement the procedure for EEC type-approval which was the subject of Council Directive 74/150/EEC of 4 March 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-ap- proval of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (3), provisions should be adopted to ensure safe working con- ditions and, in particular, the protection of the hearing of agricultural workers driving such tractors; Whereas these provisions are particularly necessary as only in two Member States does the law lay down detailed (1) OJ No C 127, 18. 10. 1974, p. 34. (8 OJ No C 125, 16. 10. 1974, p. 30. (®) OJ No L 84, 28. 3. 1974, p. 10. provisions concerning the driver-perceived noise level of * the abovementioned tractors; Whereas the disparities in the abovementioned national laws are likely to hinder trade within the Community and thus impede the establishment and the functioning of the common market, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 1. For the purposes of this Directive, ‘agricultural or forestry tractor’ means any motor vehicle, fitted with wheels or endless tracks and having at least two axles, the main function of which lies in its tractive power and which is specially designed to tow, push, carry or power certain tools, machinery or trailers intended for agricultural or iorestry use. It may be equipped to carry a load and pass- engers. 2. This Directive shall apply only to tractors defined in parggraph 1 which are fitted with pneumatic tyres and have two axles and a maximum design speed of between 6 and 25 km/h.