51995AC1298

Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers

(96/C 39/03)

On 26 October 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 75 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for Transport and Communications, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 8 November 1995. The Rapporteur was Mr Donovan.

At its 330th Plenary Session (meeting of 22 November 1995), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following Opinion unanimously.

1. Introduction

1.1. Council Directive 77/143/EEC (), as last amended by Commission Directive 94/23/EC (), covers roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, taxis, ambulances, light commercial vehicles and private cars). It lays down the intervals at which the tests must be carried out and lists the items that have to be checked.

1.2. The installation in certain categories of vehicles, and use in the Community, of speed limitation devices was made mandatory by Council Directive 92/6/EEC ().

1.3. Essentially, the current proposal is an instrument of consolidation to simplify and make more transparent Council Directive 77/143/EEC, together with the six amendments in Council Directives 88/449/EEC, 91/225/EEC, 91/328/EEC, 92/54/EEC, 91/55/EEC and Commission Directive 94/23/EC, but its scope has also been extended.

1.4. The substance of the original Directive and the six amendments remain, the text changes arise mainly in the consolidation process.

1.4.1. Article 4, paragrah 3 has been amended to enable Member States to establish testing standards regarding vehicles of historic importance.

1.4.2. Annex II in paragrahs 7.9 and 7.10 provides for the testing of the speed limitation device in vehicles fitted with the tachograph.

1.4.3. Annex II also transfers category 4 (taxis and ambulances) from the left to the right column, as their testing and roadworthiness standards are more in conformity with those of private cars.

1.4.4. Article 11 sets 1 January 1996 as the latest date for bringing the new laws, regulations and administrative provisions of this Directive into force.

2. Conclusions

2.1. The Committee welcomes the Commission proposal for consolidating, in the interest of clarity, the various Directives relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers.

2.2. It is also supportive of the further amendments and in particular the proposal for the testing of speed limitation devices in all vehicles with the tachograph. This latter provision should greatly enhance safety on our roads.

Done at Brussels, 22 November 1995.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Carlos FERRER

() OJ No L 47, 18. 2. 1977, p. 47.

() OJ No L 147, 14. 6. 1994, p. 6.

() OJ No L 57, 2. 3. 1992, p. 27.