COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 23.04.1998 
COM(1998) 234 final 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 
CONCERNING A REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION 
SUBMITTED BY LUXEMBOURG 
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 8(2)(c) OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 70/156/EEC 
ON THE APPROXIMATION OF THE LAWS OF THE MEMBER STATES 
RELATING TO THE TYPE-APPROVAL OF MOTOR VEHICLES 
AND THEIR TRAILERS 
(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
This proposal for a Decision is being submitted as a result of the outcome of the vote, on 
5 February 1998, in the Committee set up by Article 13(1) of Council Directive 70/156/EEC 
relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, on a draft Commission Decision 
concerning a request submitted by Luxembourg pursuant to Article 8(2)(c) of that Council 
Directive. The request for exemption concerns the fuelling with compressed natural gas of a 
class Ml type of vehicle. 
Although the reasons given in the request were regarded by the Commission as being well 
founded, especially as they were similar to those given by a Member State which had resulted in 
an exemption being granted for a similar fuelling system for another class Ml type vehicle (OJ 
L 199 of 26.07.1997, p. 53), the outcome of the vote in the Committee was such that no opinion 
was delivered (49 votes in favour, 16 against, 19 abstentions, Ireland being absent and Germain 
being represented by France). 
Consequently, the Commission is submitting this proposal for a Decision to the Council, in 
accordance with Article 13(3) of Directive 70/156/EEC. 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 
CONCERNING A REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION 
SUBMITTED BY LUXEMBOURG 
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 8(2)(c) OF COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 70/156/EEC 
ON THE APPROXIMATION OF THE LAWS OF THE MEMBER STATES 
RELATING TO THE TYPE-APPROVAL OF MOTOR VEHICLES 
AND THEIR TRAILERS 
(Only the French text is authentic) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Having regard to 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.1 as 
last amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 97/27/EC.2 and in particular 
Article 8(2)(c) and Article 13(3) thereof; 
Whereas the request submitted by Luxembourg on 6 November 1997, which reached the 
Commission on 10 November 1997, contained the information required by Article 8(2)(e): 
whereas the request concerns the fuelling with compressed natural gas of a class Ml type of 
vehicle; 
Whereas the reasons given in the request, according to which such fuelling systems do not meet 
the requirements of the Directives concerned, in particular Council Directive 70/220/EEC of 
20 March 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to 
be taken against air pollution by gases from spark-ignition engines of motor vehicles,3 as last 
amended by Commission Directive 96/44/EC of 1 July 1996.4 and Council 
Directive 80/1268/EEC of 16 December 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States relating to the fuel consumption of motor vehicles,5 as last amended by Commission 
Directive 93/116/EC of 17 December 19936 are well founded; whereas, however, the tests 
performed in accordance with the abovementioned Directives were conducted using both petrol 
and natural gas as fuel; whereas the relevant limit values were respected with both types of fuel, 
while recorded emissions of pollutants were lower with natural gas; whereas equivalent 
environmental protection is thus ensured; 
1 OJL42, 23.2.1970, p. I. 
2 OJL 233, 25.8.1997, p. I. 
3 OJL 76, 6.4.1970, p. I. 
4 OJL 210, 20.8.1996, p. 25. 
5 OJL 375, 31.12.1980, p. 36. 
6 OJL 329, 30.12.1993, p. 39. 
-3 
Whereas, in order to assure themselves of the safety of vehicles in service, Member States may 
periodically carry out leaktightness tests at a pressure of at least the service pressure; 
Whereas the Community Directives concerned will be amended in order to permit the 
production of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas; 
Whereas the measure provided for by this Decision was submitted to the Committee on 
Adaptation to Technical Progress set up by Directive 70/156/EEC for its opinion on 
5 February 1998, and the outcome of the vote was such that no opinion was delivered, 
IAS ADOPTED IIIIS DECISION: 
Article I 
The request submitted by Luxembourg for an exemption concerning the production and placing 
on the market of a class MI type of vehicle powered by compressed natural gas is hereby 
approved. 
Article 2 
This Decision is addressed to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the Council 
4-
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 234 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-252-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-35141-5 
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