OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers
Date: 1995-11-22
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: approximation of laws, commercial vehicle, motor vehicle, road safety, roadworthiness tests













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51995AC1298

OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers  


Official Journal C 039 , 12/02/1996 P. 0024 





Opinion on the proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the  Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers(96/C  39/03)On 26  October 1995 the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee,  under Article  75 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned  proposal. The Section for Transport and Communications, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's  work on the subject, adopted its Opinion on 8  November 1995. The Rapporteur was Mr Donovan. At its 330th Plenary Session (meeting of 22  November 1995), the Economic and Social Committee  adopted the following Opinion unanimously. 1. Introduction1.1. Council Directive 77/143/EEC (), as last amended by Commission  Directive 94/23/EC (), covers roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (buses,  coaches, heavy goods vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, taxis, ambulances, light commercial  vehicles and private cars). It lays down the intervals at which the tests must be carried out and  lists the items that have to be checked. 1.2. The installation in certain categories of vehicles, and use in the Community, of speed  limitation devices was made mandatory by Council Directive 92/6/EEC (). 1.3. Essentially, the current proposal is an instrument of consolidation to simplify and make more  transparent Council Directive 77/143/EEC, together with the six amendments in Council Directives  88/449/EEC, 91/225/EEC, 91/328/EEC, 92/54/EEC, 91/55/EEC and Commission Directive 94/23/EC, but its  scope has also been extended. 1.4. The substance of the original Directive and the six amendments remain, the text changes arise  mainly in the consolidation process. 1.4.1. Article  4, paragrah 3 has been amended to enable Member States to establish testing  standards regarding vehicles of historic importance. 1.4.2. Annex II in paragrahs 7.9 and 7.10 provides for the testing of the speed limitation device  in vehicles fitted with the tachograph. 1.4.3. Annex II also transfers category 4 (taxis and ambulances) from the left to the right column,  as their testing and roadworthiness standards are more in conformity with those of private cars. 1.4.4. Article  11 sets 1  January 1996 as the latest date for bringing the new laws, regulations  and administrative provisions of this Directive into force. 2. Conclusions2.1. The Committee welcomes the Commission proposal for consolidating, in the  interest of clarity, the various Directives relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and  their trailers. 2.2. It is also supportive of the further amendments and in particular the proposal for the testing  of speed limitation devices in all vehicles with the tachograph. This latter provision should  greatly enhance safety on our roads. Done at Brussels, 22  November 1995. The Presidentof the Economic and Social CommitteeCarlos FERRER() OJ No L 47,  18. 2. 1977, p. 47.  () OJ No L 147, 14. 6. 1994, p. 6.  () OJ No L 57, 2. 3. 1992, p. 27.