New type approval directive proposed

Publication date: 14 July 2003

The European Commission publihed today a proposal (COM(2003) 0418 - COD(2003) 0153) for a Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers. Once adopted, it will repeal and replace Directive 70/156/EEC which has undergone more than 18 amendments over time. Consequently, it needs to be made more readable by being recast, in light of the enlargement process and also the major global agreement on the establishing of international technical regulations has been concluded in Geneva. The proposed Directive is the second stage of the recasting. The first stage of the recasting entailed consolidating the technical annexes.

com2003_418_type_approval.pdf (758 KB)

The proposal tabled now incorporates most of the existing legislative provisions in a reworked form and puts in place the legislative instruments that are essential in order for the approval procedure to be extended to all categories of commercial vehicles. Besides, the proposed directive would lay down the necessary provisions concerning the introduction of a new 'split-level' approach to the regulatory work.

The proposal also lays down new technical provisions for the automobile sector with a view to enhancing road safety. These measures mainly concern utility vehicles (vans, lorries, trailers, etc.) and coaches. Among the devises made obligatory which will have most impact on road safety are ABS, new and more effective rear mirrors, side protection devices, anti-splashing devices for tyres etc. Another aspect of this proposal is that it will be mandatory for buses and coaches to be designed to provide easy access to persons with reduced mobility.These measures will be implemented as from January 2006. They will be phased in up to 2010 depending on the category of vehicle.