Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position of the European Community on the draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the approval of uniform provisions concerning the approval of I. Specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system II. Specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. GENERAL

By Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997, the European Community became a Contracting Party to the 1958 Revised Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) on 24 March 1998.

Article 4 of that Decision states in particular that, where a draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe is submitted to a vote within the appropriate bodies of the UN/ECE, the draft concerned must be approved by the Council, after having received the assent of the European Parliament, before the Community can vote in favour of adopting such a draft Regulation.

The provisional agenda for the 128th meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (to be held from 12 to 15 November 2002) includes in particular a vote on a draft (new) Regulation concerning the approval of uniform provisions concerning the approval of (i) specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system; (ii) specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system.

The aim of the Regulation is in particular to abolish the technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties, while ensuring a high level of safety and environmental protection.

It should be stressed that the position of the EC at the time of the vote will be taken on the basis of the documents available in the official languages of the UN/ECE (French and English). Indeed, the EC having become a Contracting Party to the 1958 Revised Agreement of the UN/ECE is required to observe the procedures envisaged in the aforementioned agreement.

In conformity with the requirements of Article 4 (5) of Decision 97/836/EC, the Regulation will be published in all the official languages of the Communities in the Official Journal before entering into force within the Community.

2. CONTENTS OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

The purpose of the proposal for a Decision is to enable the Commission representative to vote on behalf of the Community on the draft Regulation in question at a future meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

2002/0248 (AVC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position of the European Community on the draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the approval of uniform provisions concerning the approval of I. Specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system II. Specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997 with a view to accession by the European Community to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions [1], in particular the second indent of Article 4(2) thereof,

[1] OJ L 346, 17.12.1997, p. 78.

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [2],

[2] OJ C , , p. .

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament [3],

[3] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) The provisions of the draft Regulation on the approval of uniform provisions concerning the approval of (i) specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system; (ii) specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system, will abolish the technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties as regards these components, whilst ensuring a high level of safety and environmental protection.

(2) The said Regulation will not be incorporated into the Community system for the type-approval of motor vehicles.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Sole Article

The European Community shall vote in favour of the draft UN/ECE Regulation concerning the approval of uniform provisions concerning the approval of (i) specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system; (ii) specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system, as set out in document TRANS/WP.29/2000/42, during the vote at the meeting of the Administrative Committee on the occasion of a future meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President