WRITTEN QUESTION No. 962/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Opacimeters issued to the City of Rome Municipal Police Force
Date: 1997-03-13
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, Latium, air quality, derogation from EU law, infringement procedure (EU), motor vehicle, pollution control, pollution control measures













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91997E0962

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 962/97 by Roberta ANGELILLI to the Commission. Opacimeters issued to the City of Rome Municipal Police Force  


Official Journal C 045 , 10/02/1998 P. 0010 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-0962/97 by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission (13 March 1997)Subject: Opacimeters issued to the City of Rome Municipal Police ForceThe City of Rome Municipal Police Force is unable at present to test emissions of harmful gases from motor vehicle exhaust pipes. The equipment designed for these tests, 'Tecnomotor' opacimeters, cannot be used because, as indicated in a note from the Rome Municipal Police traffic unit, it must first be altered and re-approved under the new legislation which has been passed.This makes it impossible to test the level of atmospheric pollution caused by individual motor vehicles, including the buses operated by the public transport company, ATAC, whose exhaust emissions have not been checked despite repeated requests for inspections.Does the Commission not agree that this is a blatant infringement of Directive 92/55/EEC ((OJ L 225, 10.8.1992, p. 68. )) of 22 June 1992 amending Directive 77/143/EEC ((OJ L 47, 18.2.1977, p. 47. )) on exhaust emission tests?Can the Commission state its position on the urgent need for the City of Rome Council to acquire testing equipment which complies with the legislation and can be used immediately?If the Community legislation on environmental pollution is being infringed, can the Commission give details of any action taken against the Rome City Council?Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission (12 May 1997)Council Directive 96/96/EC ((OJ L 46, 17.2.1997. )), of 20 December 1996, covers roadworthiness test for motor vehicles and their trailers. This directive repeals Directive 77/143/EEC ((OJ L 47, 18.2.1977. )) and its subsequent amendments as from 9 March 1998.As regards exhaust emissions to be checked at the time of roadworthiness testing, this Directive lays down harmonized standards in order to promote environmentally-friendly forms of transport and to ensure uniformity and homogeneity of the vehicle fleet.Infringement proceedings against Italy were terminated when national measures ((Ministerial Decree of 28.2.1994, published in the 'Gazetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, Serie generale No 53 of 5.3.1994'. )) implementing Council Directive 92/55/EEC ((OJ L 225, 10.8.1992. )) were adopted and notified to the Commission. However, Italy enjoys a derogation from the Community requirements in the roadworthiness test for passenger cars until no later than 1 January 1998.Finally, Council Directive 92/55/EEC does not define the inspection's methodology and does not standardize the specifications for the equipment to be used in control stations. Member States have thus a degree of flexibility to establish their test methods and to use checking equipment applying national specifications.