COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 26.06.1995 
COM(95) 193 final - SYN 486 
Amended Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
LAYING DOWN MAXIMUM AUTHORISED WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS 
FOR ROAD VEHICLES OVER 3.5. TONNES 
CIRCULATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
A. On 15 December 1993, the Commission sent to the Council a proposal for a Directive 
laying down the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for road vehicles over 3.5 
tonnes circulating within the Community (COM(93)679 final - SYN 4861). 
On 1 June 19942, the Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion which was to 
reject the proposal. 
On 15 November 19943, the European Parliament approved the proposal at its first 
reading. 
The Commission accepts five of the sixteen amendments. 
The Commission could not accept the other amendments proposed by the Parliament for 
the following reasons : 
The amendment to the title is not in line with the legal situation. 
Amendments to Article 2 and Annex 1, point 1.4 change accepted definitions 
Amendments to Point 2 of Annex 1 significantly curtail the practical benefits of the 
proposal. 
B. The Commission therefore modifies its proposal as follows : 
Amendment n'l : adds a new recital declaring environmental and road safety concerns. 
Amendments n*2 and n°4 : simplifies and broadens the scope of what can be 
defined as an insulated vehicle. 
Amendments n'3 and n'5 : allow a new, longer, maximum length for road trains 
but only to permit simpler coupling mechanisms 
1 OJ No C 38 of 8.2.1994, p. 3 
2 OJ N° C 295 of 22.10.1994, p. 72 
3 OJN° C 341 of 5.12.1994, p. 
L 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
LAYING DOWN MAXIMUM AUTHORISED WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS 
FOR ROAD VEHICLES OVER 3.5. TONNES 
CIRCULATING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY 
The Proposal from the Commission forming the subject of document COM(93)679 final 
SYN4861 is hereby amended as follows : 
Initial text proposed by the Commission Amended text 
(Amendment 1) 
Recital 4a (new) 
Whereas the legislation shall not have an 
adverse impact on developments which 
protect the environment and promote road 
safety; 
OJ N° C 38 of 8.2.94, p.3 
3 
Initial text proposed by the Commission Amended text 
(Amendment 2) 
Article 2, fifth indent 
'thick-walled refrigerated vehicle' 
shall mean any vehicle whose fixed or 
movable superstructures are specially 
equipped for the carriage of goods at 
controlled temperatures in accordance 
with classes B. C. E and F of the 
Agreement of lSeptember 1970 on 
the International Carriage of 
Perishable Foodstuffs and on the 
Special Equipment to be used for 
Carriage (ATP) and whose side walls, 
inclusive of insulation, are each at 
least 45 millimetres thick; 'conditioned vehicle' shall mean any 
vehicle whose fixed or movable 
superstructures are specially equipped for 
the carriage of goods at controlled 
temperatures and whose side walls, 
inclusive of insulation, are on average 
each at least 45 millimetres thick; 
Initial text proposed by the Commission Amended text 
(Amendment 3) 
Annex I, Point 1.1. 
1.1. Maximum length : 
- motor vehicle 12.00 m 
- trailer 12.00 m 
- articulated vehicle 16.50 m 
- road train 18.35 m 
- articulated bus 18.00 m 1.1. Maximum length : 
- motor vehicle 12.00 m 
- trailer 12.00 m 
- articulated vehicle 16.50 m 
- road train 18.75 m 
- articulated bus 18.00 m 
H-
Initial text proposed by the Commission Amended text 
(Amendment 4) 
Annex I, Point 1.2. 
1.2. Maximum width : 
(a) all vehicles 2.55m 
(b) refrigerated super 
structures of thick-
walled refrigerated 
vehicles 2.60m 1.2. Maximum width : 
(a) all vehicles 2.55m 
(b) superstructures of 
conditioned vehicles 2.60m 
Initial text proposed by the Commission Amended text 
(Amendment 5) 
Annex I, Point 1.8 
1.8 Maximum distance measured 1.8 Maximum distance measured 
parallel to the longitudinal axis of parallel to the longitudinal axis of 
the road train from the foremost the road train from the foremost 
external point of the loading area external point of the loading area 
behind the cabin to the rearmost behind the cabin to the rearmost 
external point of the trailer of the external point of the trailer of the 
combination combination 
16.00m 16.40m 
Remainder unchanged 
Done at Brussels For the Council 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 193 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 07 
Catalogue number : CB-C0-95-219-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-89033-9 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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