COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 92/62/EEC of 2 July 1992 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/311/EEC relating to steering equipment for motor vehicles and their trailers
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 70/311/EEC of 8 June 1970, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to steering equipment of motor vehicles and their trailers (1) and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Whereas a comprehensive evaluation of Directive 70/311/EEC has shown that it is possible to improve road safety further by applying practical experience and technological development and taking into account the progress made in the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations, notably in Regulation No 79 and supplements 1 and 2 thereto. These improvements may be obtained by reducing steering control effort, inserting requirements for power-assisted steering equipment using the same energy source as the braking device, introducing a steering test at higher speed for motor vehicles, introducing requirements for auxiliary steering equipment, and introducing a uniform presentation for the information document and the EEC type-approval certificate in order to facilitate computerization of storage and transmission of data by applicants and approval authorities;
Whereas it is also necessary to adapt to technical progress definitions and existing requirements;
Whereas the provisions of this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles, set up under Article 12 (1) of Directive 70/156 (2),
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. Directive 70/311/EEC is modified as follows:
in Article 2 the word 'Annex' is replaced by the word 'Annexes'.
2. The Annex is replaced by the Annexes to this Directive.
Article 2
1. With effect from 1 January 1993 no Member State may on grounds relating to steering equipment:
- refuse, in respect of a type of vehicle, to grant EEC type-approval, or to issue the copy of the certificate provided for in the last indent of Article 10 (1) of Council Directive 70/156/EEC, or to grant national type-approval, or
- prohibit the entry into service of vehicles,
if the steering equipment of this type of vehicle or of these vehicles comply with the provisions of Directive 70/311/EEC, as amended by this Directive.
2. With effect from 1 October 1993 Member States:
- shall no longer issue the copy of the certificate provided for in the last indent of Article 10 (1) of Directive 70/156 in respect of a type of vehicle,
- may refuse to grant national type-approval in respect of a type of vehicle,
of which the steering equipment does not comply with the provisions of Directive 70/311/EEC, as amended by this Directive.
3. With effect from 1 October 1995 Member States may prohibit the entry into service of vehicles of which the steering equipment does not comply with the provisions of Directive 70/311/EEC, as amended by this Directive.
Article 3
1. Member States shall implement the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before 1 January 1993. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
When Member States adopt these provisions, these shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference at the time of their official publication. The procedure for such reference shall be adopted by Member States.
2. Member States shall ensure that they communicate to the Commission the wording of any essential provisions of national law that they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.
Article 4
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 2 July 1992.