EU moves to remove "bull bars"

Publication date: 10 October 2003

The European Commission published today a proposal (COM(2003) 586 final - 2003/0226 (COD)) for a Directive to limit the use of frontal protection systems (so-called "bull bars") of motor vehicles.

com2003_0586_bull_bars.pdf (93 KB)

Systems providing additional frontal protection of motor vehicles have been increasingly used in recent years. Some of these systems constitute a risk to the safety of pedestrian and other road users in case of a collision with a motor vehicle.  The draft directive lays down requirements that must be complied with by frontal protection systems either as originally fitted to a vehicle or put on the market as separate technical units. As the construction of motor vehicles is covered by framework Directive 70/156/EEC establishing the EC type-approvalsystem for vehicles, components and separate technical units, the proposed requirements will also be part of that system. The prescribed requirements for frontal protection systems are laid down inthe form of tests, which are described in Section 4 of Annex I to the proposal.

As of 1 July 2005, Member States will no longer grant EC type-approval for a type of vehicle on grounds relating to the fitting of frontal protection systems, or for a type of frontal protection system as separate technical unit, if the requirements of the Annexes of this Directive are not fulfilled.

As of 1 January 2006 all new vehicles that are fitted with frontal protection systems and all new frontal protection systems put on the market will have to comply with the proposed requirements.

The requirements will be tested according to detailed technical prescriptions which will be set out by the Commission in accordance with Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.