5.12.73 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 335/51 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 19 November 1973 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the certification and marking of wire-ropes, chains and hooks (73/361/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European FEconomic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof; Having regard to the proposal from the Commission; Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament; Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee; Whereas in several Member States certification and markings are prescribed for certain wire-ropes, chains and hooks which are to be used for lifting and handling; whereas thesc provisions differ from one Member State to another; whercas owing to their differences they hinder trade within the European Economic Community; Whereas these hindrances to the establishment and functioning of the common market may be reduced, even removed, if the same provisions concerning the certification and marking of wire-ropes, chains and hooks are adopted in all Member States, either supplementary to or in place of the present national provisions; Whereas this Directive is confined to provisions on the certification and markings of wire-ropes, chains and hooks; whereas certification and markings will enable manufacturers and users of lifting appliances to know inter alia the characteristics of these wire-ropes, chains and hooks; whereas, moreover, directives which will be subsequently adopted regarding the constructional requirements of various lifting appliances will include provisions on the particular use of the wire-ropes, chains and hooks; Whereas technical progress requires a rapid adjustment of the technical provisions for lifting appliances and equipment; whereas to facilitate the implementation of the measures necessary to this end, a procedure should be laid down establishing closc cooperation between the Member States and the Commission in the form of a Committee for ad- justing to technical progress directives on the removal of technical barriers to intra-Community trade in the sector of lifting applicances and equipment, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 This Directive concerns lifting equipment excluding: — lifting equipment which is not new, — lifting equipment used on board ships and for railways, funicular railways and cableways. By lifting equipment, within the meaning of this Directive, is understood wire ropes, round stecl chains, and hooks intended for lifting and mechanical handling equipment. ' Article 2 1. No Member State may forbid or restrict, for reasons concerning certification or marking, the placing on the market of lifting equipment referred to in Article 1, if it is provided with a certificate and markings which comply with the provisions in the Annex. 2.  However, if 2 Member State ascertains that the characteristics, in  particular the minimum characteristics, of a piece of lifting equipment do not correspond to those listed on the certificate, it may suspend the placing on the market of this piece of lifting equipment. It shall immediately inform the other Member States and the Commission thereof, stating the reasons for its decision. If a Member State questions the grounds of the measures referred to above, the Member State concerned shall endeavour to settle the dispute. The Commission shall be kept informed. It shall enter into, as far as Is necessary, appropriate consultations to reach a solution. N