COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 12.06.1996 
COM(96) 265 final 
94/0286 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the amendments of the European Parliament 
to the common position of the Council 
with a view to adoption of 
a European Parliament and Council Directive 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to measures to be taken 
against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

Parliament on 9 May 1996 adopted three amendments to the common position 
adopted by the Council on 22 December 1995 on a Directive amending Directive 
70/220/EEC on measures to be taken against air pollution from emissions from motor 
vehicles. 
In accordance with Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC Treaty, the Commission hereby 
delivers a favourable opinion on these amendments, on the following grounds: 
Amendments 1 and 3 are purely procedural, so there can be no objection to 
them; 
Amendment 2 reduces the duration of validity of the certificates issued for the 
low-powered category of vehicles, according to a specific procedure abolished 
by Directive 93/59/EEC. Since the expiry dates featuring in Parliament's 
amendment differ by only three months from those initially proposed by the 
Commission, and given the reduced number of vehicles involved, the 
Commission finds this amendment acceptable. 
For these reasons, the Commission has decided, in line with Article 189a of the EC 
Treaty, to alter its proposal so as to incorporate the amendments adopted by 
Parliament. 
Given the closeness of the dates of entry into force foreseen in the common position, 
it considers it a matter of urgency that the Council modifies its common position 
accordingly and adopts the text in question. 
Altered proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive 
amending Directive 70/220/EEC 
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to measures to be taken 
against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles 
(submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty) 
Current proposalAlîered proposal 
Twelfth recital 
Whereas the Council should adopt, by 
31 December 1997, the requirements 
valid for the stage beginning in 2000. 
on the basis of a proposal which the 
Commission must submit by 30 June 
1996 and which is to be aimed at 
substantially reducing emissions from 
light commercial vehicles; Whereas the Furooean Parliament and 
the Council should adopt, by 31 
December 1 997, the requirements valid 
for the stage beginning in 2000, on the 
basis of a proposal which the 
Commission must submit by 30 June 
1996 and which is to be aimed at 
substantially reducing emissions from 
light commercial vehicles; 
Article 2(3), second subparagraph 
For vehicles with a power-to-weiaht 
ratio of no more than 30 kW/t and a 
maximum speed not exceeding 130 
km/h. the dates referred to in The first 
subparagraph shall be replaced by 1 
January 1998 and 1 January 1999 
respectively. DeJalsd 
Article 4 
The Council, acting under the 
conditions laid down in the Treaty, shall 
decide by 31 December 1997 on 
proposals to be submitted by the 
Commission by 30 June 1996, for a 
further stage in the reduction, by the 
adoption of Community measures, of 
air pollution caused by emissions from 
motor vehicles covered by this 
Directive. The measures shall apply 
from the year 2000. 
In these proposals, the Commission will 
follow the approach outlined in Article 
4 of Directive 94/1 2/EC. The European Parliament and the 
Council, acting under the conditions 
laid down in the Treaty, shall decide by 
31 December 1997 on proposals to be 
submitted by the Commission by 30 
June 1996, for a further stage in the 
reducTion, by the adoption of 
Community measures, of air pollution 
caused by emissions from motor 
vehicles covered by this Directive. The 
measures shall apply from the year 
2000. 
In these proposals, the Commission will 
follow the approach outlined in Article 
4 of Directive 94/12/EC. 
ISSN 0254-1475 
C0M(96) 265 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 14 07 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-276-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-05314-7 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
T