26. 4. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 109/23 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 22 April 1986 concerning a demonstration project with a view to introducing a Community system of information on accidents involving consumer products (86/138/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 23§ thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parli- ament (2, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Whereas the preliminary programme of the European Community for a consumer protection and information policy annexed to the Council resolution of 14 April 1975 (*), stresses that products offered to consumers must be such that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they present no risk to their health or safety; whereas, in the event of their presenting such risks, there should be special rules or appropriate procedures for informing the consumer thereof, improving the con- ditions of use and the features of the products or with- drawing them from the market; Whereas pursuant to Council Decision 81/623/EEC of 23 July 1981 on the implementation of a pilot experiment relating to a Community system of information on acci- () OJ No C 117, 11. 5. 1985, p. 4. () OJ No C 68, 24. 3. 1986. () OJ No C 188, 29. 7. 1985, p. 9. () OJ No C 92, 25. 4. 1975, p. 1. dents involving products outside the spheres of occupa- tional activities and road traffic () the Commission and the Member States have carried out a pilot experiment over a period of 30 months which has shown the feasibi- lity of collecting information primarily from hospital casualty departments and secondarily from other sources ; Whereas it is therefore appropriate for the Community to set up a demonstration project for a limited period with a view to the possible institution of a Community system to collect information on the various aspects of the safety of produets where they are involved in accidents and parti- cularly on the respective roles of the products the victim and their surroundings at the time of the accident and that this information is of major importance for the protection of the consumer; Whereas the results of the demonstration project will enable the Commission to put forward any suitable proposal aimed at ensuring the continuity of Community activities started in this area by the pilot experiment; Whereas it is appropriate to provide for an obligation on the Member States to collect and forward information to the Commission ; Whereas on the basis of this information it will be possible to carry out or coordinate detailed studies concer- ning the most frequent and/or serious accidents with a view to promoting improvements in product features, their standards, their proper use by consumers and consumer information and education aimed at preventing accidents ; () OJ No L 229, 13. 8. 1981, p. 1.