3.12.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 326/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 23 March 1998 concerning the conclusion of the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents (98/685/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130s(1) thereof, in conjunction with the first sentene of Article 228(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 228(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal of the Commission (!), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (?), Whereas the Commission took part, on behalf of the Community, in the negotiations with a view to the conclusion of the Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents; whereas the Convention was signed on behalf of the Community in Helsinki on 18 March 1992; Whereas the Convention aims at protecting human beings and the environment against industrial accidents capable of causing transboundary effects and at promoting active international cooperation between the Contracting Parties before, during and after such accidents; Whereas the conclusion of the Convention comes within the scope of the Community’s participation in 1 (') O] C 267, 3.9.1997, p. 60. () OJ C 339, 10.11.1997, p. 26. international measures to protect the environment, recommended by the fifth Action Programme on the Environment, the general approach of which was approved by the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within Council, in their Resolution of 1 February 1993 (3); Whereas, in accordance with the principles stated in Article 130r of the Treaty, the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances constitutes a matter of utmost importance for all Member States in view of the cross-border nature of the effects on the environment and human health of major industrial accidents involving such substances; Whereas Council Directive 82/501/EEC of 24 June 1982 on the major-accident hazards of certain industrial activities () and Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the Control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (°) aim at the prevention of major accidents and the limitation of their consequences for man and the environment; whereas these  Directives  contain  provisions  concerning transboundary cooperation; Whereas it is therefore necessary for the Community to approve the Convention; () OJ C 138, 17.5.1993, p. 1. () OJ L 230, 5.8.1982, p. 1. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession. (’) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997, p. 13.