Council Directive
of 21 December 1977
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (identification of controls, tell-tales and indicators)
(78/316/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [1],
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee [2],
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to the identification of controls, tell-tales and indicators;
Whereas these requirements differ from one Member State to another; whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure, which was the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers [3], as amended by Directive 78/315/EEC [4];
Whereas it is advisable to draft the technical requirements so that they have the same aim as the work being carried out on the subject in the UN Economic Commission for Europe and as certain technical requirements adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO);
Whereas the approximation of national laws relating to motor vehicles entails reciprocal recognition by Member States of the checks carried out by each of them on the basis of the common requirements,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
For the purposes of this Directive, "vehicle" means any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails, agricultural tractors and machinery and public works vehicles.
Article 2
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national type-approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to the identification of controls, telltales and indicators, if these satisfy the requirements laid down in Annexes I to IV.
Article 3
No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry into service or use of any vehicle on grounds relating to the identification of controls, telltales and indicators if these satisfy the requirements laid down in Annexes I to IV.
Article 4
Any amendments necessary to adapt the requirements of Annexes I to V to technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 5
1. Member States shall bring into force the provisions necessary in order to comply with this Directive within 18 months of its notification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission.
Article 6
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 21 December 1977.