1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of16October1978
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to head restraints of seats of
motorvehicles
(78/932/EEC)
(OJ L 325, 20.11.1978, p. 1)
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 329, 25.11.1982, p. 31 (78/932/EEC)
▼B
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of16October 1978
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
headrestraintsofseatsofmotorvehicles
(78/932/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(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee(3),
Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy
pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to head restraints;
Whereas those requirements differ from one Member State to another;
whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the samerequirements, either in addition to or in place of their existing rules inorder, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure, whichwas the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the
type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers(
4), as last amended
by Directive 78/547/EEC(5), to be introduced in respect of eachtype
of vehicle;
Whereas the common requirements for the interior parts of the
passenger compartment, the layout of the controls, the roof and
backrest and rear part of the seats were laid down in Directive 74/60/EEC(
6); whereas those for the internal fittings relating to the protection
of the driver from the steering mechanism in the event of an impactwere laid down in Directive 74/297/EEC(
7); whereas those relating to
the strength of the seats and their anchorages were laid down in Direc-
tive 74/408/EEC(8); whereas those relating to anchorages for safety
belts were laid down in Directive 76/115/EEC(9); whereas those
relating to safety belts and restraint systems were laid down in Direc-tive 77/541/EEC(
10);
Whereas a harmonized component type-approval procedure for head
restraints makes it possible for eachMember State to ch eck compliancewithth e common construction and testing requirements and to informthe other Member States of its findings by sending a copy of thecomponent type-approval certificate completed for eachtype of h ead
restraint; whereas the placing of an EEC component type-approval
mark on all head restraints manufactured in conformity with theapproved type obviates any need for technical checks on these headrestraints in the other Member States;
Whereas the approximation of national laws relating to motor vehicles
entails mutual recognition by the Member States of checks carried outby each of them on the basis of the common requirements,1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 82, 14. 4. 1975, p. 74.
(2) OJ No C 76, 7. 4. 1975, p. 37.
(3) OJ No C 263, 17. 11. 1975, p. 57.
(4) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.
(5) OJ No L 168, 26. 6. 1978, p. 39.
(6) OJ No L 38, 11. 2. 1974, p. 4.
(7) OJ No L 165, 20. 6. 1974, p. 16.
(8) OJ No L 221, 12. 8. 1974, p. 1.
(9) OJ No L 24, 30. 1. 1976, p. 6.
(10) OJ No L 220, 29. 8. 1977, p. 95.
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HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. EachMember State sh all grant EEC component type-approval for
any type of head restraint whether integrated or not in the seats ofmotor vehicles, which satisfies the construction and testing require-ments laid down in Annexes I to V.
2. The Member State which has granted EEC component type-
approval for the head restraints shall take the measures required in
order to verify that production models conform to the approved type,
in so far as this is necessary and if need be in cooperation with thecompetent authorities in the other Member States. Such verificationshall be limited to spot checks.
Article 2
Member States shall, for each type of head restraint which they
approve pursuant to Article 1, issue, to the manufacturer, or to hisauthorized representative, an EEC component type-approval markconforming to the model shown in Annex VI.
Member States shall take all appropriate measures to prevent the use of
marks liable to create confusion between head restraints which have
been type-approved pursuant to Article 1 and other devices.
Article 3
1. No Member State may prohibit the placing on the market of head
restraints on grounds relating to their construction or method of func-
tioning if they bear the EEC component type-approval mark.
2. Nevertheless, a Member State may prohibit the placing on the
market of head restraints bearing the EEC component type-approvalmark which consistently fail to conform to the approved type.
That State shall forthwith inform the other Member States and the
Commission of the measures taken, specifying the reasons for its deci-sion.
Article 4
The competent authorities of each Member State shall within one
month send to the competent authorities of the other Member States acopy of the component type-approval certificates and extension certifi-cates completed for each type of head restraint which they approve or
refuse to approve.
Article 5
1. If the Member State which has granted EEC component type-
approval finds that a number of head restraints bearing the same
component type-approval mark do not conform to the type which it
has approved, it shall take the necessary measures to ensure thatproduction models conform to the approved type. The competentauthorities of that State shall advise those of the other Member Statesof the measures taken, which may extend to withdrawal of EEC
component type-approval. The said authorities shall take the same
measures if they are informed by the competent authorities of anotherMember State of suchfailure to conform.
2. The competent authorities of the Member States shall within one
month inform each other of any withdrawal of EEC component type-approval, and of the reasons for such a measure.
Article 6
Any decision taken pursuant to the provisions adopted in implementa-
tion of this Directive, to refuse or withdraw component type-approvalfor a head restraint or prohibit its placing on the market or use shallset out in detail the reasons on which it is based. Such decision shall1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 3
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be notified to the party concerned, who shall at the same time be
informed of the remedies available to him under the laws in force inthe Member States and of the time limits allowed for the exercise of
suchremedies.
Article 7
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national
type-approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to its head restraints, ifthese bear the EEC component type-approval mark and are intended forinstallation in the type of vehicle submitted for type-approval.
Article 8
No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry
into service or use of any vehicle on grounds relating to its headrestraints, if these bear the EEC component type-approval mark andare intended for installation in the type of vehicle submitted for type-
approval.
Article 9
For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any Category M1
motor vehicle (as defined in Annex I to Directive 70/156/EEC)intended for use on the road, having at least four wheels and amaximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h.
Article 10
Any amendments necessary to adapt the requirements of the Annexes
to technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedurelaid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 11
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 Directiveare communicated to the Commission.
Article 12
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 4
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LISTOFANNEXES
ANNEX I: Scope, definitions, application for EEC component type-
approval, general specifications, tests and conformity of
production (1)
ANNEX II: Procedure for determining the ‘H’ point and the actual seat
back angle and for verifying the relative positions of the R
and H points and the relationship between the design seat
back angle and the actual seat back angle
ANNEX III: Determination of height and width of head restraints (1)
ANNEX IV: Details of the lines drawn and measurements taken during
test (1)
ANNEX V: Test procedure for checking energy dissipation (1)
ANNEX VI: EEC component type-approval mark
ANNEX VII: EEC component type-approval certificate
(1) The technical requirements of this Annex are similar to those of Regulation No 25 of
the Economic Commission for Europe (E/ECE/324-E/ECE/TRANS/505 rev. 1/add. 24);the breakdown into sections is thus the same. Where a section of Regulation No 25 hasno counterpart in the Annexes to this Directive, its number is give in brackets for the
record.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 5
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ANNEX I
SCOPE,DEFINITIONS,APPLICATIONFOREECCOMPONENTTYPE-
APPROVAL, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS, TESTS ANDCONFOR-
MITYOFPRODUCTION
1. SCOPE
1.1. This Directive applies to head restraints (head rests):
— forming an integral part of the seatback, or
— designed to be installed on the seat,
of motor vehicles conforming to the definition given in Article 9 and
intended for separate use, i.e. as individual equipment by adult occu-
pants of forward-facing seats.
2. DEFINITIONS2.1.Vehicletypewithregardtoheadrestraints
‘Vehicle type with regard to head restraints’ means vehicles which do
not differ in suchessential respects as:
2.1.1. the lines and internal dimensions of the bodywork constituting the
passenger compartment; and
2.1.2. the types and dimensions of the seats.
2.2.Headrestraint
‘Head restraint’ means a device whose purpose is to limit the rearward
displacement of the occupant's head in relation to his torso in order to
reduce the danger of injury to the cervical vertebrae in the event of an
accident. This device may or may not form an integral part of the seat-
back.
2.3.Typeofseat
‘Type of seat’ means seats which do not differ in their dimensions, in
their framework or in their padding, although they may differ in finish
or colour.
2.4.Typeofheadrestraint
‘Type of head restraint’ means head restraints which do not differ in
their dimensions, in their framework or in their padding, although they
may differ in finish, colour or covering.
2.5.Hpoint
(see Annex II).
2.6.Rpointorseatingreference point
(see Annex II).
2.7.Reference liner
‘Reference line r’ means a straight line which, either on a test manikin
having the mass and dimensions of an average adult male or on a test
manikin having identical characteristics, passes through the joint of the
leg with the pelvis and the joint of the neck with the thorax. On the
manikin referred to in Section 3 of Annex III to Council Directive 77/
649/EEC of 27 September 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to the field of vision of motor vehicle
drivers(
1), to which reference is made in Annex II to this Directive,
the reference line is that shown in Figure 1 in the Appendix to Annex
III to Directive 77/649/EEC.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 6
(1) OJ No L 267, 19. 10. 1977, p. 1.
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2.8.Headline
‘Head line’ means a straight line passing through the centre of gravity
of the head and through the joint of the neck with the thorax. When the
head is at rest the head line is situated in the extension of the reference
line.
3. APPLICATION FOR EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
3.1. The application for EEC component type-approval must be submitted
by the holder of the trade name or mark of the seat or head restraint
or by his authorized representative.
3.2. It must be accompanied by the following documents in triplicate:
3.2.1. a detailed description of the head restraint, specifying in particular the
nature of the padding material or materials and, where applicable, the
position and specifications of the supports and anchorages for the typeor types of seats for which component type-approval of the head
restraint is sought;
3.2.2. a detailed description of the type or types of seats for which component
type-approval of the head restraint is sought;
3.2.3. details of the type or types of vehicle on which the seats referred to in
3.2.2 are intended to be fitted;
3.2.4. dimensional drawings of the characteristic parts of the seat and head
restraint.
3.3. The following must be submitted to the technical service responsible
for conducting the component type-approval tests:
3.3.1. if the head restraint is an integral part of the seat: four complete seats;
3.3.2. if the head restraint is intended to be firmly anchored to the seat:
3.3.2.1. two seats of each type to which the head restraint is to be fitted;
3.3.2.2. 4 + 2N head restraints, N being the number of types of seat to which
the head restraint is to be fitted.
3.4. The technical service responsible for conducting the component type-
approval tests may request:
3.4.1. the submission of specific parts or specific samples of the materials
used; and/or
3.4.2. the submission of vehicles of the type or types referred to in 3.2.3.
4. MARKINGS
4.1. The devices submitted for component type-approval must:
4.1.1. be clearly and indelibly marked with the trade name or mark of the
applicant;
4.1.2. provide adequate space on the lateral face for the component type-
approval mark: this space must be shown in the drawings referred to
in 3.2.4.
4.2. Where the head restraint forms an integral part of the seat, the markings
referred to in 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 must be placed on the part of the seat
which is used as a head restraint.
(5.)
6. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
6.1. The presence of the head restraint in a vehicle must not be an additional
cause of danger to occupants of the vehicle. In particular it must not in
any position of use exhibit any dangerous roughness or sharp edge
liable to increase the risk or seriousness of injury to the occupants.
Parts of the head restraint which are situated in the impact zone defined
below must be capable of dissipating energy in the manner specified in
Annex V to this Directive:
6.1.1. the impact zone must be bounded laterally by two vertical longitudinal
planes, one on eachside of and each70 mm distant from th e plane of
symmetry of the seat concerned;
6.1.2. the impact zone must be limited in height to the part of the head
restraint situated above the plane perpendicular to the reference line r
and 635 mm distant from the R point.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 7
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6.2. Parts of the front and rear faces of the head restraint which are situated
outward of the said vertical longitudinal planes must be so padded as to
prevent any direct contact of the head with the structural components,
which should in those areas have a radius of curvature of not less than
5 mm.
6.3. The head restraint must be anchored to the seat in such a way that no
rigid and dangerous part projects from the padding of the head restraint,
from the anchorage or from the seatback as a result of the pressure
exerted by the head during the test.
6.4. The height of the head restraint, measured as described in 7.2, must not
be less than 700 mm above the seating reference point R.
6.5. The height of the device on which the head rests, measured as
described in 7.2, must, in the case of a head restraint adjustable for
height, not be less than 100 mm.
6.6. There must be no gap of more than 50 mm between the seatback and
the head restraint in the case of a device not adjustable for height. If thehead restraint is adjustable for height, it must, when in the low position,
be no more than 25 mm from the top of the seatback.
6.7. The width of the head restraint must be such as to provide suitable
support for the head of a person normally seated. In the plane of
measurement of width defined in 7.3, the head restraint shall cover an
area extending not less than 85 mm to each side of the plane of
symmetry of the seat for which the head restraint is intended, that
distance being measured in accordance with7.3.
6.8. The head restraint and its anchorage must be such that the maximum
backward displacement of the head permitted by the head restraint and
measured in conformity withth e static procedure laid down in 7.4 is
less than 102 mm.
6.9. The head restraint and its anchorage must be strong enough to bear
without failure the load specified in 7.4.3.7.
7. TESTS
7.1.VerificationoftheRpointoftheseatinwhichtheheadrestraintis
tobeincorporated
This point is verified in accordance with the requirements of Annex II.
7.2.Determinationoftheheightoftheheadrestraint
7.2.1. All lines must be drawn in the plane of symmetry of the seat concerned,
the intersection of which plane with the seat determines the contour of
the head restraint and of the seatback (see Annex III, Figure 1).
7.2.2. The manikin corresponding to an average adult male or the manikin
referred to in Section 3 of Annex III to Directive 77/649/EEC must be
placed in a normal position on the seat. The seatback, if inclinable, is
locked in a position corresponding to a rearward inclination of the
reference line of the manikin's torso of as nearly as possible 25º from
the vertical.
7.2.3. The projection of the reference line of the manikin referred to in
Section 3 of Annex III to Directive 77/649/EEC is then, in the case of
the seat concerned, drawn in the plane specified in 7.2.1. The tangent S
to the top of the head restraint is drawn perpendicular to the reference
line.
7.2.4. The distance h from the R point to the tangent S is the height to be
taken into consideration in implementing the requirement of 6.4.
7.3.Determinationofthewidthoftheheadrestraint
(see Annex III, Figure 2).
7.3.1. The plane S
1perpendicular to the reference line and situated 65 mm
below the tangent S defined in 7.2.3 defines a section in the head
restraint bounded by the outline C. The direction of the straight lines
tangential to C representing the intersection of the plane S1and the
vertical planes (P and P ′), parallel to the plane of symmetry of the
seat concerned, are drawn in the plane S1.
7.3.2. The width of the head restraint to be taken into consideration in imple-
menting the requirements of 6.7 is the distance L separating the
projections of planes P and P ′in plane S1.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 8
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7.3.3. The width of the head restraint must if necessary also be determined
635 mm above the seating reference point, this distance being measured
along the reference line.
7.4.Determinationoftheeffectivenessofthedevice
7.4.1. The effectiveness of the head restraint is to be checked by the static test
described below.
7.4.2. Preparation for the test
7.4.2.1. If the head restraint is not an integral part of the seat, it must be set in
the highest position.
7.4.3. Testing
7.4.3.1. All lines must be drawn in the vertical plane of symmetry of the seat
concerned (see Annex IV).
7.4.3.2. A projection of the reference line r is drawn in the plane referred to in
7.4.3.1.
7.4.3.3. The displaced reference line r1is determined by applying to the part
simulating the back in the manikin referred to in Annex III to Directive
77/649/EEC, an initial force producing a rearward moment of
37·3 mdaN about the R point.
7.4.3.4. By means of a spherical head 165 mm in diameter an initial force
producing a moment of 37·3 mdaN about the R point is applied at right
angles to the displaced reference line r1at a distance of 65 mm below
the top of the head restraint.
7.4.3.5. The tangent Y to the spherical head, parallel to the displaced reference
line r1, is determined.
7.4.3.6. The distance X between the tangent Y and the displaced reference line
r1is measured. The requirement of 6.8 is deemed to be met if the
distance X is less than 102 mm.
7.4.3.7. The initial load specified in 7.4.3.4 is increased to 89 daN unless
breakage of the seat or the seatback occurs earlier.
8. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
(8.1.)
(8.2.)(8.3.)
8.4. Head restraints selected for verification of conformity withan approved
type must at least undergo the test described in Section 7.
(9.)
10. INSTRUCTIONS
With each model conforming to an approved type of head restraint, the
manufacturer shall supply particulars of the types and characteristics of
the seats for which the head restraint is approved and, where appro-
priate, the directions to the user of the head restraint on how to fit it
correctly to the seats concerned.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 9
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ANNEX II
PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING THE ‘H’ POINT AND THE
ACTUALSEATBACKANGLEANDFORVERIFYINGTHERELATIVE
POSITIONS OF THE R ANDH POINTS ANDTHE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE DESIGN SEATBACK ANGLE AND THE ACTUAL
SEATBACKANGLE
Annex III to Directive 77/649/EEC shall be applicable.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 10
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ANNEX III
DETERMINATIONOFHEIGHTANDWIDTHOFHEADRESTRAINT
Figure 1
Figure 21978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 11
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ANNEX IV
DETAILSOFLINESDRAWNANDMEASUREMENTSTAKENDURINGTEST
1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 12
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ANNEX V
TESTPROCEDUREFORCHECKINGENERGYDISSIPATION
1. SETTING UP, TEST APPARATUS, RECORDING INSTRUMENTS
AND PROCEDURE
1.1.Settingup
The head restraint must be fitted and tested on the seat of the vehicle for
which it is intended. The seat must be firmly secured to the test bench so
that it does not move under impact.
1.2.Testapparatus
1.2.1. This apparatus consists of a pendulum whose pivot is supported by ball-
bearings and whose reduced mass(1) at its centre of percussion is 6·8 kg.
The lower extremity of the pendulum consists of a rigid headform
165 mm in diameter whose centre is identical with the centre of percus-
sion of the pendulum.
1.2.2. The headform is fitted with two accelerometers and a speed-measuring
device, all capable of measuring values in the direction of impact.
1.3.Recordinginstruments
The recording instruments used must be such that measurements can be
made withth e following degrees of accuracy:
1.3.1. Acceleration:
— accuracy: ± 5 % of the real value,
— frequency response: up to 1 000 Hz— cross-axis sensitivity: < 5 % of the lowest point on the scale.
1.3.2. Speed:
— accuracy: ± 2·5 % of the real value,
— sensitivity: 0·5 km/h.
1.3.3. Time recording:
— the instrumentation must enable the action to be recorded throughout
its duration and readings to be made within one thousandth of a
second,
— the beginning of the impact at the moment of first contact between
the headform and the head restraint being tested is noted on the
recordings used for analyzing the test.
1.4.Testprocedure
1.4.1. The surface to be tested must be so placed that the pendulum will strike
the surface perpendicular to the point concerned.
1.4.2. The headform must strike the test item at a speed of 24·1 km/h this speed
is achieved either by the mere energy of propulsion or by using an addi-
tional propelling device.
2. RESULTS
In tests carried out by the above procedure, the deceleration of the head-
form must not exceed 80 g continuously for more than three milliseconds.
The deceleration rate is taken as the average of the readings on the two
decelerometers.
3. EQUIVALENT PROCEDURES
3.1. Equivalent test procedures are permitted on condition that the results
required in Section 2 can be obtained.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 13
(1) The relationship of the reduced mass ‘mr’ of the pendulum to the total mass ‘m’ of the
pendulum at a distance ‘a’ between the centre of percussion and the axis of rotation andat a distance ‘l’ between the centre of gravity and the axis of rotation is given by the
formula: m
r¼ml
a·
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3.2. Responsibility for demonstrating the equivalence of a method other than
that described in Section 1 rests with the person using such a method.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 14
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ANNEX VI
EECCOMPONENTTYPE-APPROVALMARK
1. GENERAL
1.1. The EEC component type-approval mark consists of:
1.1.1. a rectangle surrounding the lower-case letter ‘e’ followed by the distin-
guishing number or letters of the Member State which has granted the
EEC component type-approval:
1 for Germany,
2 for France,
3 for Italy,
4 for the Netherlands,
6 for Belgium
11 for the United Kingdom,
►C113◄for Luxembourg,
18 for Denmark,
IRL for Ireland;
1.1.2. it must also include the EEC component type-approval number which
corresponds to the number of the EEC component type-approval certifi-
cate issued for the type of head restraint in question; this number is
placed in any convenient position near the rectangle;
1.1.3. where the head restraint is an integral part of the seatback, the EEC
component type-approval number is preceded by the letter ‘I’ and a dash:
1.2. The EEC component type-approval mark must be clearly legible and
indelible.
2. TWO EXAMPLES OF EEC COMPONENT TYPE-APPROVAL
MARKS
2.1.Component type-approval mark of a head restraint which forms an
integralpartoftheseat
The above component type-approval mark affixed to a head restraint orrestraints forming an integral part of the seat or seats of a vehicle shows
that the type of seat in question has been approved with regard to head
restraints in the Netherlands (e4) under the number 2439.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 15
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2.2.EECcomponenttype-approvalmarkofaheadrestraintwhichisnot
anintegralpartofaseat
The above component type-approval mark affixed to a head restraint
shows that the head restraint in question has been granted EEC compo-
nent type-approval, that it is a head restraint which is not an integral
part of a seat and is approved in the Netherlands under the number 2439.1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 16
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ANNEX VII
MODELEECCOMPONENTTYPE-APPROVALCERTIFICATE
(Maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
1978L0932 — EN — 20.10.1978 — 000.001 — 17