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 specific components of motor vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems and of vehicles with regard to the installation of specific components of an approved type for the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems (98/C 374/07) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(1998) 565 final - 98/0297(AVC)

(Submitted by the Commission on 20 October 1998)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament,

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) whereas, when a draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, to be annexed to the 1958 Revised Agreement, is submitted for a vote to the Administrative Committee set up pursuant to the provisions of Article 1(2) of the abovementioned Agreement, that draft must be approved by the Council before the Community can vote in favour of adopting such a draft Regulation;

(2) whereas the draft Regulation concerning the approval of specific components of motor vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems and of vehicles with regard to the installation of specific components of an approved type for the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems will abolish the technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties as regards the specific components of motor vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems and their installation on such vehicles; whereas the uniform provisions of the said Regulation ensure a high level of safety and environmental protection;

(3) whereas that Regulation will be incorporated in the system for the type-approval of vehicles and will therefore supplement the Community legislation in force;

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The European Community shall endorse the draft UN/ECE Regulation concerning the approval of specific components of motor vehicles using compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems and of vehicles with regard to the installation of specific components of an approved type for the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in their propulsion systems, as set out in document TRANS/WP.29/1998/33, during the vote at the meeting of the Administrative Committee on 11 November 1998 on the occasion of the 116th meeting of the Working Party on Vehicle Construction of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe or, where appropriate, if it is submitted for voting at a subsequent meeting.

(1) OJ L 346, 17.12.1997, p. 78.