3.2.97 Official Journal of the Furopean Communities No L 3211 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DIRECTIVE 96/73/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 1996 on certain methods for the quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre mixtures THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty (?), Whereas Council Directive 72/276/EEC of 17 July 1972 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to certain methods for the quantitative analysis of binary textile fibre mixtures (*) has been amended frequently and substantially; whereas, for reasons of clarity and rationality, the said Directive should be consolidated; Whereas Directive 96/74/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 on textile names (°)) requires labelling to indicate the fibre composition of textile products, with checks being carried out by analysis on the conformity of these products with the indications given on the label; (1) OJ No C 96, 6. 4. 1994, p. 20. (3) OJ No C 195, 18. 7. 1994, p. 20. (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 15 February 1995 (O] No C 56, 6. 3. 1995, p. 53), Council common position of 26 February 1996 (O] No C 196, 6. 7. 1996, p. 20) and Decision of the European Parliament of 18 June 1996 (O] No C 198, 8. 7. 1996, p. 25), Council Decision of 7 October 1996. (%) O] No L 173, 31. 7. 1972, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 87/184/EEC (O] No L 75, 17. 3. 1987, p. 21). (%) See p. 38 of this Official Journal. Whereas the methods used for official tests carried out in the Member States to determine the fibre composition of textile products should be uniform, as regards both the pre-treatment of the sample and its quantitative analysis; Whereas Directive 96/74/EC provides that the methods for sampling and analysis to be used in the Member States for the purpose of determining the fibre composition of products will be specified in separate directives; whereas therefore Annex II to this Directive lays down 15 uniform methods of analysis for most of the textile products composed of binary mixtures that are on the market; Whereas technical progress necessitates frequent adaptation of the technical specifications defined by the separate directives on methods of textile analysis; whereas, in order to facilitate the implementation of the measures required to that effect, a procedure should be laid down establishing, within the Committee for Directives relating to Textile Names and Labelling, close cooperation  between  Member  States and the Commission; Whereas, in the case of binary mixtures for which there is no uniform method of analysis at Community level, the laboratory responsible for the test may determine the composition of such mixtures using any valid method at its disposal, indicating in the analysis report the result obtained and, in so far as this is known, the degree of accuracy of the method used; Whereas the provisions of this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Directives relating to Textile Names and Labelling; Whereas this Directive must not affect the obligations of the Member States concerning the time limits for transposition of the Directives set out in Annex III, part B,