1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B ►M4 COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of20March1970
onthe approximation ofthe lawsof the Member Statesrelating to fuel tanksandrear underrun
protectionofmotorvehiclesandtheirtrailers
(70/221/EEC)           ◄
(OJ L 76, 6.4.1970, p. 23)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Directive 79/490/EEC of 18 April 1979 L 128 22 26.5.1979
►M2amended by Commission Directive 81/333/EEC of 13 April 1981 L 131 4 18.5.1981
►M3Commission Directive 97/19/EC of 18 April 1997 L 125 1 16.5.1997
►M4Directive 2000/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
20 March2000L 106 7 3.5.2000
Amended by:
►A1Act of Accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern IrelandL 73 14 27.3.1972
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 65, 15.3.1979, p. 42 (70/221/EEC)
►C2Corrigendum, OJ L 64, 6.3.2001, p. 39 (2000/8/EC)
▼B
COUNCILDIRECTIVE
of20March1970
on the approximationof the lawsofthe Member States relating to
fuel tanks and rear underrun protection of motor vehicles and
theirtrailers
(70/221/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European EconomicCommunity 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 satisfypursuant to national laws relate, inter alia to their liquid fuel tanks and
►
C1rear underrun protection ◄;
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, in
order, in particular, to allow the EEC type approval procedure which
was the subject of the Council Directive(
3) of 6 February 1970 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the typeapproval of motor vehicles and their trailers to be applied in respectof eachtype of veh icle;
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
For the purpose of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicleand its trailers as defined in Annex II Section A to Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 2
1. No Member State may refuse to grant EC type-approval ornational type-approval for a vehicle on grounds relating to its fueltanks if such vehicle satisfies the requirements set out in this Directiveconcerning fuel tanks.
2. No Member State may, on grounds relating to rear underrun
protection, refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national type-approvalfor a vehicle if such vehicle satisfies the requirements set out in the
Annex concerning rear underrun protection or if suchveh icle is fitted
with a rear underrun protective device which has been granted type-approval as a technical unit ►
M3within the meaning of Article 2 of
Directive 70/156/EEC and installed in accordance withth e require-ments set out in item 5 of Annex II. ◄
3. No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval ornational type-approval for a rear underrun protective device if suchdevice, considered as a technical unit ►
M3within the meaning of1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 2
(1) OJ No C 160, 18.12.1969, p. 7.
(2) OJ No C 48, 16.4.1969, p. 16.
(3) OJ No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1.▼M4
▼B
▼M4
▼M1
▼M4
▼M1
▼M1
Article 2 of Directive 70/156/EEC, satisfies the relevant requirements
set out in Annex II. ◄
Article 2a
1. No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, registration,
entry into service or use of a vehicle on grounds relating to its fuel
tanks if such a vehicle satisfies the requirements set out in this Direc-tive concerning fuel tanks.
2. No Member State may, on grounds relating to its rear underrun
protection, refuse or prohibit the sale, registration, entry into serviceor use of a vehicle if such a vehicle satisfies the requirements set out
in the Annex concerning rear underrun protection or if the vehicle is
fitted with a rear underrun protective device which has been grantedtype-approval as a technical unit ►
M3within the meaning of Article
2 of Directive 70/156/EEC and installed in accordance withth erequirements set out in item 5 of Annex II. ◄
3. No Member State may prohibit the placing on the market of any
rear underrun protective device considered as a technical unit within
the meaning of ►
M3Article 2 ◄of Directive 70/156/EEC if it
conforms to a type which has been granted type-approval within themeaning of Article 2 (3).
Article 2b
A Member State which carries out type-approval shall take the
measures necessary to ensure that it is informed of any modificationto a part or characteristic referred to in ►
M3items 2.1 and 2.2 of
Annex II ◄. The competent authorities of that Member State shall
determine whether fresh tests should be carried out on the modified
type and a fresh report drawn up. Where such tests reveal that therequirements of this Directive have not been complied with, the modi-fication shall not be authorized.
Article 3
Any amendments necessary to adapt the requirements of the Annexes
to technical progress, shall be adopted in accordance with the proce-
dure laid down in Article 13 of Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 4
1. Member States shall put into force the provisions containing the
requirements needed in order to comply with this Directive withineighteen months of its notification and shall forthwith inform theCommission 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 5
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 3
▼M4
▼M1
▼M4
▼B
▼M3
LISTOFANNEXES
Annex I: Tanks for liquid fuel
Appendix 1: Test of resistance to fire
Appendix 2: Dimensions and technical data of firebricks
Appendix 3: Information document
Appendix 4: EC type-approval certificate
Annex II: Rear underrun protection
Appendix 1: Information document (vehicle)
Appendix 2: Information document (separate technical unit)
Appendix 3: EC type-approval certificate (vehicle)
Appendix 4: EC type-approval certificate (separate technical
unit)
Appendix 5: EC type-approval mark1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 4
▼M4
▼M3
▼M4
ANNEX I
TANKSFORLIQUIDFUEL
1. SCOPE
1.1. This Annex applies to vehicles to which Directive 70/156/EEC
applies.
2. DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this Annex:
2.1. ‘Vehicle type with regard to fuel tanks’, means vehicles which do not
differ essentially in suchrespects as:
2.1.1. The structure, shape, dimensions and materials (metal/plastic) of the
tank(s);
2.1.2. In vehicles of category M1(1) the position of the tank(s) in the vehicle
in so far as it has a negative effect on the requirements of Section
5.10 of this Annex.
2.2. ‘Occupant compartment’, means the space for occupant accommoda-
tion bounded by the roof, floor, side walls, doors, outside glazing,
front bulkhead and rear bulkhead.
2.3. ‘Unladen mass’, means the mass of the vehicle in running order as
defined in Section 2.6 of Annex I to Directive 70/156/EEC.
2.4. ‘Tank’, means the tank(s) designed to contain the liquid fuel, as
defined in Section 2.6, used primarily for the propulsion of the
vehicle excluding its accessories (filler pipe (if it is a separate
element), filler hole, cap, gauge, connections to the engine or to
compensate interior excess pressure, etc).
2.5. ‘Capacity of the tank’, means the tank capacity as specified by the
manufacturer.
2.6. ‘Liquid fuel’, means a fuel which is liquid in normal ambient condi-
tions.
3. APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL
3.1. The application for type-approval of a type of vehicle with regard to
its fuel tanks pursuant to Article 3(4) of Directive 70/156/EEC shall
be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer.
3.2. A model for the information document is given in Appendix 3.3.3. The following must be submitted to the technical service responsible
for conducting the type-approval tests:
3.3.1. A vehicle representative of the vehicle type to be approved or the
parts of the vehicle which the technical service deems necessary for
approval tests;
3.3.2. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a tank made of a plastic mate-
rial: seven additional tanks, withth eir accessories;
3.3.3. In the case of a vehicle equipped with a tank made of another mate-
rial: two additional tanks, withth eir accessories.
4. GRANTING OF EC TYPE-APPROVAL
4.1. If the relevant requirements are satisfied, EC type-approval pursuant
to Article 4(3) and, if applicable, Article 4(4) of Directive 70/156/
EEC shall be granted.
4.2. A model for the EC type-approval certificate is given in Appendix 4.
4.3. An approval number in accordance withAnnex VII to Directive 70/
156/EEC shall be assigned to each type of vehicle approved. The
same Member State shall not assign the same number to another
type of vehicle.
5. SPECIFICATIONS
5.1. Tanks must be made so as to be corrosion-resistant.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 5
(1) As defined in Annex II, Part A to Directive 70/156/EEC.
▼M4
5.2. Tanks must satisfy, when equipped with all accessories which are
normally attached to them, the leakage tests carried out according to
Section 6.1 at a relative internal pressure equal to double the working
excess pressure, but in any event not less than an excess pressure of
0,3 bar.
Tanks for vehicles made of a plastic material are considered as
meeting this requirement if they have passed the test described in
Section 6.3.2.
5.3. Any excess pressure or any pressure exceeding the working pressure
must be compensated automatically by suitable devices (vents, safety
valves, etc).
5.4. The vents must be designed in such a way as to prevent any fire risk.
In particular, any fuel which may leak when the tank(s) is (are) being
filled must not be able to fall on the exhaust system. It shall be chan-
nelled to the ground.
5.5. The tank(s) must not be situated in, or form, a surface (floor, wall,
bulkhead) of the occupant compartment or other compartment integral
withit.
5.6. A partition must be provided to separate the occupant compartment
fromthetank(s).Thepartitionmaycontainapertures(e.g.toaccom-
modate cables) provided they are so arranged that fuel cannot flow
freely from the tank(s) into the occupant compartment or other
compartment integral withit during normal conditions of use.
5.7. Every tank must be securely fixed and so placed as to ensure that any
fuel leaking from the tank or its accessories will escape to the ground
and not into the occupant compartment during normal conditions of
use.
5.8. The filler hole must not be situated in the occupant compartment, in
the luggage compartment or in the engine compartment.
5.9. The fuel must not escape through the tank cap or through the devices
provided to compensate excess pressure during the foreseeable course
of operation of the vehicle. In the case of overturning of the vehicle, a
drip may be tolerated provided that it does not exceed 30 g/min; this
requirement must be verified during the test prescribed in Section 6.2.
5.9.1. The tank cap must be fixed to the filler pipe: the seal must be retained
securely in place, the cap must latch securely in place against the seal
and filler pipe when closed.
5.9.1.1. The requirements of Section 5.9.1 will e deemed to be satisfied if the
vehicle meets the requirements of Section 5.1.3 of Annex I to Direc-
tive 70/220/EEC(1), subject to the proviso that the examples listed in
the third indent of that section do not apply to vehicles in categoriesother than M
1or N1.
5.10. Tanks must be installed in sucha way as to be protected from th e
consequences of an impact to the front or the rear of the vehicle;there shall be no protruding parts, sharp edges, etc. near the tank.
5.11. The fuel tank and the filler neck shall be designed and installed in the
vehicles in such a way as to avoid any accumulation of static electri-
city charges on their entire surface. If necessary, they shall be
discharged into the metallic structure of the chassis or any major
metallic mass by means of a good conductor.
5.12. Moreover, tanks made of plastic material must also be tested
according to the specific procedure set out in Section 6.3.
6. TESTS
6.1.Hydraulictest
The tank must be subjected to a hydraulic internal pressure test which
must be carried out on an isolated unit complete withall its acces-
sories. The tank must be completely filled with a non-flammable
liquid (water, for example). After all communication withth e outside
has been cut off, the pressure must be gradually increased, through
the pipe connection through which fuel is fed to the engine, to a rela-
tive internal pressure equal to double the working pressure used and
in any case to not less than an excess pressure of 0,3 bar, which must1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 76, 6.4.1970, p. 1.
▼M4
be maintained for one minute. During this time the tank shell must
not crack or leak; however, it may be permanently deformed.
6.2.Overturntest
6.2.1. The tank and all its accessories must be mounted on to a test fixture
in a manner corresponding to the mode of installation on the vehicle
for which the tank is intended; this also applies to systems for the
compensation of the interior excess pressure.
6.2.2. The test fixture shall rotate about an axis lying parallel to the longitu-
dinal vehicle axis.
6.2.3. The test will be carried out with the tank filled to 90 % of its capacity
and also 30 % of its capacity witha non-flammable liquid h aving a
density and a viscosity close to those of the fuel normally used (water
may be accepted).
6.2.4. The tank must be turned from its installed position 90º to the right.
The tank must remain in this position for at least five minutes.
The tank must then be turned 90º further in the same direction. The
tank must be held in this position, in which it is completely inverted,
for at least another five minutes.
The tank must be rotated back to its normal position. Testing liquid
which has not flowed back from the venting system into the tank
must be drained and replenished if necessary.
The tank must be rotated 90º in the opposite direction and left for at
least five minutes in this position.
The tank must be rotated 90º further in the same direction. This
completely inverted position must be maintained for at least five
minutes. Afterwards, the tank must be rotated back to its normal posi-
tion.
6.3.Additionaltestsfortank(s)forvehiclesmadeofaplasticmaterial
6.3.1. Impact resistance
6.3.1.1. The tank must be filled to its capacity with a water-glycol mixture or
with another liquid having a low freezing point which does not
change the properties of the tank material, and must then be subjected
to a perforation test.
6.3.1.2. During this test the tank temperature must be 233 K ± 2 K (−
40 ºC ± 2 ºC).
6.3.1.3. A pendulum impact testing fixture must be used for the test. The
impact body must be of steel and have the shape of a pyramid with
equilateral-triangle faces and a square base, the summit and the edges
being rounded to a radius of 3 mm. The centre of percussion of the
pendulum must coincide with the centre of gravity of the pyramid;
its distance from the axis of rotation of the pendulum must be 1 m.
The total mass of the pendulum must be 15 kg. The energy of the
pendulum at the moment of impact must be not less than 30 Nm and
as close to that value as possible.
6.3.1.4. The tests must be made on the points of the tank which are regarded
as vulnerable to frontal or rear collisions. The points regarded as
vulnerable are those which are most exposed or weakest having
regard to the shape of the tank or the way in which it is installed on
the vehicle. The points selected by the laboratories must be indicated
in the test report.
6.3.1.5. During the test, the tank must be held in position by the fittings on
the side or sides opposite the side of impact. No leak must result
from the test.
6.3.1.6. At the choice of the manufacturer, all the impact tests may be carried
out on one tank or eachmay be carried out on a different tank.
6.3.2. Mechanical strength
The tank must be tested under the conditions prescribed in Section 6.1
for leaks and for rigidity of shape. The tank and all its accessories
must be mounted onto a test fixture in a manner corresponding to
the mode of installation on the vehicle for which the tank is intended.
Water at 326 K (53 ºC) must be used as the testing fluid and must fill
the tank to its capacity. The tank must be subjected to a relative
internal pressure equal to double the working pressure and in any1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 7
▼M4
case to not less than 0,3 bar at a temperature of 326 K ± 2 K
(53 ºC ± 2 ºC) for a period of five hours. During the test, the tank
and its accessories must not crack or leak; however, it may be perma-
nently deformed.
6.3.3. Fuel permeability
6.3.3.1. The fuel used for the permeability test must be either the reference
fuel specified in Annex VIII to Directive 70/220/EEC or a commer-
cial premium-grade fuel. If the tank is only designed for installation
on vehicles with a compression-ignition engine, the tank shall be
filled withdiesel fuel.
6.3.3.2. Prior to the test, the tank must be filled to 50 % of its capacity with
testing fuel and stored, without being sealed, at an ambient tempera-
ture of 313 K ± 2 K (40 ºC ± 2 ºC) until the weight loss per unit time
becomes constant.
6.3.3.3. The tank must then be emptied and refilled to 50 % of its capacity
with test fuel, after which it must be hermetically sealed and be stored
at a temperature of 313 K ± 2 K (40 ºC ± 2 ºC). The pressure must be
adjusted when the contents of the tank have reached the testing
temperature. During the ensuing test period of eight weeks, the loss
of weight due to diffusion during the test period shall be determined.
The maximum permissible average loss of fuel is 20 g per 24 hours of
testing time.
6.3.3.4. If the loss due to diffusion exceeds the value indicated in Section
6.3.3.3, the test described there must be carried out again, on the
same tank, to determine the loss by diffusion at 296 K ± 2 K
(23 ºC ± 2 ºC), but under the same conditions otherwise. The loss so
measured shall not exceed 10 g per 24 hours.
6.3.4. Resistance to fuel
After the test referred to in Section 6.3.3, the tank must still meet the
requirements set out in Sections 6.3.1 and 6.3.2.
6.3.5. Resistance to fire
The tank must be subjected to the following tests.
6.3.5.1. For two minutes the tank, fixed as on the vehicle, must be exposed to
flame. There must be no leakage of liquid fuel from the tank.
6.3.5.2. Three tests must be made on different tanks filled with fuel as
follows:
6.3.5.2.1. If the tank is designed for installation on vehicles equipped with
either a positive ignition engine or a compression ignition engine,
three tests must be carried out with tanks filled with premium-grade
gasoline;
6.3.5.2.2. If the tank is only designed for installation on vehicles equipped with
a compression-ignition engine, three tests must be carried out with
tanks filled withdiesel fuel;
6.3.5.2.3. For eachtest th e tank must be installed in a testing fixture simulating
actual installation conditions as far as possible. The method whereby
the tank is fixed in the fixture must correspond to the relevant speci-
fications for the vehicle. Vehicle parts which protect the tank and its
accessories against exposure to flame or which affect the course of
the fire in any way, as well as specified components installed on the
tank and plugs, must be taken into consideration. All openings must
be closed during the test, but venting systems must remain operative.
Immediately prior to the test the tank must be filled with the specified
fuel to 50 % of its capacity.
6.3.5.3. The flame to which the tank is exposed must be obtained by burning
commercial fuel for positive-ignition engines (hereafter called ‘fuel’)
in a pan. The quantity of fuel poured into the pan shall be sufficient
to permit the flame, under free-burning conditions, to burn for the
whole test procedure.
6.3.5.4. The pan dimensions must be chosen so as to ensure that the sides of
the fuel tank are exposed to the flame. The pan must therefore exceed
the horizontal projection of the tank by at least 20 cm, but not more
then 50 cm. The side walls of the pan must not project more than 8
cm above the level of the fuel at the start of the test.
6.3.5.5. The pan filled with fuel must be placed under the tank in such a way
that the distance between the level of the fuel in the pan and the tank
bottom corresponds to the design height of the tank above the road1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 8
▼M4
surface at the unladen mass (see Section 2.3). Either the pan, or the
testing fixture, or both, must be freely movable.
6.3.5.6. During phase C of the test, the pan must be covered ►C2by a
screen placed 3 cm ± 1 cm above the fuel level. ◄The screen must
be made of a refractory material, as prescribed in Appendix 2. Theremust be no gap between the bricks and they must be supported over
the fuel pan in such a manner that the holes in the bricks are not
obstructed. The length and width of the frame must be 2 cm to 4 cm
smaller than the interior dimensions of the pan so that a gap of 1 cm
to 2 cm exists between the frame and the wall of the pan to allow
ventilation.
6.3.5.7. When the tests is carried out in the open air, sufficient wind protec-
tion must be provided and the wind velocity at fuel-pan level mustnot exceed 2,5 km/h. Before the test the screen must be heated to
308 K ± 5 K (35 ºC ± 5 ºC). The fire bricks may be wetted in order
to guarantee the same test conditions for each successive test.
6.3.5.8. The test must comprise four phases (see Appendix 1).
6.3.5.8.1.PhaseA:Pre-heating(figure1)
The fuel in the pan must be ignited at a distance of at least 3 m from
the tank being tested. After 60 seconds pre-heating, the pan must be
placed under the tank.
6.3.5.8.2.PhaseB:Directexposuretoflame(figure2)
For 60 seconds the tank must be exposed to the flame from the freely
burning fuel.
6.3.5.8.3.PhaseC:Indirectexposuretoflame(figure3)
As soon as phase B has been completed, the screen must be placedbetween the burning pan and the tank. The tank must be exposed to
this reduced flame for a further 60 seconds.
6.3.5.8.4.PhaseD:Endoftest(figure4)
The burning pan covered with the screen must be moved back to itsoriginal position (phase A). If, at the end of the test, the tank is
burning, the fire must be extinguished forthwith.
6.3.5.9. The results of the test shall be considered satisfactory if no liquid fuel
is leaking from the tank.
6.3.6. Resistance to high temperature
6.3.6.1. The fixture used for the test must match the manner of installation of
the tank on the vehicle, including the way in which the tank vent
works.
6.3.6.2. The tank filled to 50 % of its capacity with water at 293 K (20 ºC)
must be subjected for one hour to an ambient temperature of
368 K ± 2 K (95 ºC ± 2 ºC).
6.3.6.3. The results of the test shall be considered satisfactory if, after the test,
the tank is not leaking or seriously deformed.
6.3.7. Markings on the fuel tank
6.3.7.1. The trade name or mark must be affixed to the tank; it must be indel-
ible and clearly legible on the tank when the latter is installed on the
vehicle.
7. AMENDMENTS TO APPROVAL
7.1. In the case of amendments to approvals granted pursuant to this
Directive, the provisions of Article 5 of Directive 70/156/EEC shall
apply.
8. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
8.1. Measures to ensure the conformity of production shall be taken in
accordance withth e provisions laid down in Article 10 of Directive
70/156/EEC.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 9
▼M4
Appendix 1
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 41970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 10
▼M4
Appendix 2
DIMENSIONSANDTECHNICALDATAOFFIREBRICKS
Fire resistance (Seger-Kegel) SK 30
Al2O3content 30 to 33%
Open porosity (Po) 20 to 22% vol.Density 1900 to 2000 kg/m
3
Effective holed area 44,18%1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 11
▼M4
Appendix 3
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 12
▼M4
Appendix 4
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 13
▼M4
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 14
▼M3
ANNEX II
REARUNDERRUNPROTECTION
1. GENERAL
Vehicles covered by this Directive must be designed so as to provide
effective protection against underrunning from the rear by vehicles of
categories M1and N1(1).
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1. Vehicle type for the purposes of rear underrun protection
The term ‘vehicle type for the purposes of rear underrun protection’
means vehicles which do not differ essentially with respect to the
following main characteristics:
2.1.1. width of the rear axle, structure, dimensions, shape and materials of
the rear part of the vehicle in so far as they have a bearing on the
requirements of 5.1 to 5.4.5.5;
2.1.2. suspension characteristics in so far as they have a bearing on the
requirements of 5.1 to 5.4.5.5;
2.1.3. type of rear underrun protection device, if fitted.2.2. Type of rear underrun protection device
The term ‘type of rear underrun protection device’ means devices
which do not differ essentially with respect to the following main
characteristics:
2.2.1. shape;2.2.2. dimensions;2.2.3. attachment;2.2.4. materials.
3. APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL
3.1. Application for EC type-approval in respect of a vehicle type3.1.1. Application for EC type-approval pursuant to Article 3 (4) of Direc-
tive 70/156/EEC of a vehicle type with regard to rear underrun
protection shall be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer.
3.1.2. A model for the information document is given in Appendix 1.
3.1.3. A vehicle representative of the type to be approved shall be submitted
to the technical service responsible for conducting the type-approval
tests.
3.2. Application for EC type-approval in respect of a rear underrun protec-
tive device considered to be a separate technical unit
3.2.1. Application for EC type-approval pursuant to Article 3 (4) of Direc-
tive 70/156/EEC in respect of a rear underrun protective device
considered to be a separate technical unit within the meaning of
Article 2 of that Directive shall be submitted by the vehicle manufac-
turer or the manufacturer of the rear underrun protective device.
3.2.2. A model for the information document is given in Appendix 2.3.2.3. One sample of the type of rear underrun protective device to be
approved shall be submitted to the technical service conducting the
tests. That service may, if it is considered necessary, request a further
sample. The samples shall be clearly and indelibly marked with the
applicant's trade name or mark and the type designation.
4. GRANTING OF EC TYPE-APPROVAL
4.1. If the relevant requirements are satisfied, EC type-approval pursuant
to Article 4 (3) and, if applicable, Article 4 (4) of Directive 70/156/
EEC shall be granted.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 15
(1) As defined in Annex II Section A to Directive 70/156/EEC.
▼M3
4.2. A model for the EC type-approval certificate is shown in:
4.2.1. Appendix 3 for applications referred to in 3.1; and4.2.2. Appendix 4 for applications referred to in 3.2.4.3. An approval number in accordance withAnnex VII to Directive 70/
156/EEC shall be assigned to each type of vehicle or each type of
rear protective device approved. The same Member State shall not
assign the same number to another type of vehicle or to another type
of rear protective device.
5. SPECIFICATIONS
5.1. All vehicles must be so constructed and/or equipped as to offer effec-
tive protection over their whole width against underrunning from the
rear by a vehicle of categories M
1and N1(1).
5.2. Any vehicle in one of the categories M1,M2,M3,N1,O1or O2(1) will
be deemed to satisfy the condition set out in 5.1:
— if it satisfies the conditions set out in 5.3, or
— if the ground clearance of the rear part of the unladen vehicle does
not exceed 55 cm over a width which is not shorter than that of
the rear axle by more than 10 cm on either side (excluding any
tyre bulging close to the ground).
Where there is more than one rear axle, the width to be considered is
that of the widest.
This requirement must be satisfied at least on a line at a distance of
not more than 45 cm from the rear extremity of the vehicle.
5.3. Any vehicle in one of the categories N2,N3,O3or O4(1) will be
deemed to satisfy the condition set out in 5.1 provided that:
— the vehicle is equipped with a special rear underrun protective
device in accordance withth e requirements of 5.4, or
— the vehicle is so designed and/or equipped at the rear that, by
virtue of their shape and characteristics, its component parts can
be regarded as replacing the rear underrun protective device.
Components whose combined function satisfies the requirements
set out in 5.4 are considered to form a rear underrun protective
device.
5.4. A device for protection against underrunning from the rear, herein-
after referred to as ‘device’, generally consists of a cross-member
and linking components connected to the chassis side-members or to
whatever replaces them.
It must have the following characteristics:
5.4.1. the device must be fitted as close to the rear of the vehicle as
possible. When the vehicle is unladen(2) the lower edge of the device
must at no point be more than 55 cm above the ground;
5.4.2. the width of the device must at no point exceed the width of the rear
axle measured at the outermost points of the wheels, excluding the
bulging of the tyres close to the ground, nor must it be more than
10 cm shorter on either side. Where there is more than one rear
axle, the width to be considered is that of the widest;
5.4.3. the section height of the cross-member must be not less than 10 cm.
The lateral extremities of the cross-member must not bend to the rear
or have a sharp outer edge; this condition is fulfilled when the lateral
extremities of the cross-member are rounded on the outside and have
a radius of curvature of not less than 2,5 mm;
5.4.4. the device may be so designed that its position at the rear of the
vehicle can be varied. In this event, there must be a guaranteedmethod of securing it in the service position so that any unintentional
change of position is precluded. It must be possible for the operator to
vary the position of the device by applying a force not exceeding 40
daN;
5.4.5. the device must offer adequate resistance to forces applied parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and be connected, when in the1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 16
(1) As defined in Annex II Section A to Directive 70/156/EEC.
(2) As defined in item 2.6 of Appendix 1.
▼M3
service position, with the chassis side-members or whatever replaces
them.
This requirement will be satisfied if it is shown that both during and
after the application the horizontal distance between the rear of the
device and the rear extremity of the vehicle does not exceed 40 cm
at any of the points P1, P2 and P3. In measuring this distance, any
part of the vehicle which is more than 3 m above the ground when
the vehicle is unladen must be excluded;
5.4.5.1. points P1 are located 30 cm from the longitudinal planes tangential to
the outer edges of the wheels on the rear axle; points P2, which are
located on the line joining points P1, are symmetrical to the median
longitudinal plane of the vehicle at a distance from each other of 70
to 100 cm inclusive, the exact position being specified by the manu-facturer. The height above the ground of points P1 and P2 must be
defined by the vehicle manufacturer within the lines that bound the
device horizontally. The height must not, however, exceed 60 cm
when the vehicle is unladen. P3 is the centre-point of the straight
line joining points P2;
5.4.5.2. a horizontal force corresponding to 12,5 % of the maximum techni-
cally permissible mass of the vehicle but not exceeding 2,5 × 10
4N
must be applied successively to bothpoints P1 and to point P3;
5.4.5.3. a horizontal force corresponding to 50 % of the maximum technically
permissible mass of the vehicle but not exceeding 10 × 104N must be
applied successively to bothpoints P2;
5.4.5.4. the forces specified in 5.4.5.2 and 5.4.5.3 above must be applied sepa-
rately. The order in which the forces are applied may be specified bythe manufacturer;
5.4.5.5. whenever a practical test is performed to verify compliance with the
abovementioned requirements, the following conditions must be
fulfilled:
5.4.5.5.1. the device must be connected to the chassis side-members of the
vehicle or to whatever replaces them;
5.4.5.5.2. the specified forces must be applied by rams which are suitably
articulated (e.g. by means of universal joints) and must be parallel to
the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle via a surface not more
than 25 cm in height (the exact height must be indicated by the manu-
facturer) and 20 cm wide, witha radius of curvature of 5 ± 1 mm at
the vertical edges; the centre of the surface is placed successively at
points P1, P2 and P3.
5.5. By way of derogation from the abovementioned requirements, vehi-
cles of the following categories need not comply with the
requirements of this Annex as regards rear underrun protection:
— tractors for semi-trailers,
— ‘slung’ trailers and other similar trailers for the transport of logs
or other very long items,
— vehicles for which rear underrun protection is incompatible with
their use.
6. EC TYPE-APPROVAL MARKING
6.1. Every rear underrun protective device conforming to the type
approved pursuant to this Directive as a separate technical unit shall
bear an EC type-approval mark.
6.2. This mark shall consist of a rectangle surrounding the letter ‘e’
followed by the distinguishing number or letters of the Member State
which has granted type-approval:
1 for Germany
2 for France
3 for Italy4 for the Netherlands
5 for Sweden
6 for Belgium9 for Spain
11 for the United Kingdom
12 for Austria1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 17
▼M3
13 for Luxembourg
17 for Finland18 for Denmark21 for Portugal
23 for Greece
IRL for Ireland.
It must also include in the vicinity of the rectangle the ‘base approval
number’ contained in Section 4 of the type-approval number referred
to in Annex VII of Directive 70/156/EEC, preceded by the two
figures indicating the sequence number assigned to the most recent
major technical amendment to Directive 70/221/EEC on the date EC
type-approval was granted. In this Directive the sequence number is
‘00’.
6.3. The EC type-approval mark must be affixed to the rear underrun
protective device in sucha way as to be indelible and clearly legible
even if the device is fitted to a vehicle.
6.4. An example of the EC type-approval mark is shown in Appendix 5.
7. MODIFICATIONS OF THE TYPE AND AMENDMENTS TO
APPROVALS
7.1. In the case of modifications of the type approved pursuant to this
Directive, the provisions of Article 5 of Directive 70/156/EEC shall
apply.
8. CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION
8.1. As a general rule, measures to ensure the conformity of production
shall be taken in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article
10 to Directive 70/156/EEC.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 18
▼M3
Appendix 1
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 19
▼M3
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 20
▼M3
Appendix 2
INFORMATIONDOCUMENTNo…
relatingtoECtype-approvalasaseparatetechnicalunitwithrespectofarearunderrunprotec-
tivedevice
(Directive 70/221/EEC as last amended by Directive …/…/EC)
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 21
▼M3
Appendix 3
MODEL
(maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 22
▼M3
Addendum to EC type-approval certificate No …
concerning the type-approval of a vehicle with respect of a rear underrun protective device
(Directive 70/221/EEC as last amended by Directive …/…/EC)
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 23
▼M3
Appendix 4
MODEL
(maximum format: A4 (210 × 297 mm))
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 24
▼M3
Addendum to EC type-approval certificate No …
concerning the type-approval of a separate technical unit with regard to a rear underrun protective
device
(Directive 70/221/EEC as last amended by Directive …/…/EC)
1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 25
▼M3
Appendix 5
ModelfortheECtype-approvalmark
The rear underrun protective device bearing the above EC type-approval mark is a device which has
been approved in Spain (e 9) under the base approval 0148 on the basis of this Directive (00).
The figures used are only indicative.1970L0221 — EN — 23.05.2000 — 005.001 — 26