COMMON POSITION (EC) No 41/98 adopted by the Council on 29 June 1998 with a view to adopting Directive 98/.../EC of the European Parliament and Council of ... relating to motor vehicles and their trailers intended for the transport of dangerous goods by road and amending Directive 70/156/EEC relating to the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers
Date: 1998-06-29
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: commercial vehicle, motor vehicle, road transport, transport of dangerous goods

19.8.98

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C  262/1

I

(Information)

COUNCIL

COMMON  POSITION  (EC)  No  41/98

adopted  by  the  Council  on  29  June  1998

with  a  view  to  adopting  Directive  98/. . ./EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  Council  of  . . .
relating  to  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by
road  and  amending  Directive  70/156/EEC  relating  to  the  type  approval  of  motor  vehicles  and
their  trailers

(98/C  262/01)

THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AND  THE  COUNCIL  OF
THE  EUROPEAN  UNION,

the  European  Agreement  concerning  the  International
Carriage  of  Dangerous  Goods  by  Road  (ADR),

Having  regard  to  the  treaty  establishing  the  European
Community,  and  in  particular  Article  100a  thereof,

Whereas  the  internal  market  comprises  an  area  without
internal  frontiers  in  which  the  free  movement  of  goods,
persons,  services  and  capital  must  be  ensured;

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Commission (1),

having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  laid  down  in
Article  189b  of  the  Treaty (3),

Whereas  total  harmonisation  regarding  the  technical
requirements  for  vehicles  intended  for  the  transport  of
dangerous  goods  by  road  is  necessary  in  order  fully  to
achieve  that  objective;

to 

technical  barriers 

Whereas 
the
provisions  for  EC  type  approval  of  vehicles  intended  for
the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road  should  be
eliminated  in  order  to  allow  the  market  organisation  in
question  to  operate  smoothly;

trade  regarding 

Having  regard  to  Council  Directive  94/55/EC  of  21
November 1994 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous
goods by road (4), which transposes into Community law

Whereas  it  is  therefore  necessary  in  the  context  of  the
internal  market  to  harmonise  the  standards  for  means  of
transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road;

(1)  OJ  C  29,  30.1.1997,  p.  17.
(2)  OJ  C  296,  29.9.1997,  p.  1.
(3)  Opinion  of  the  European  Parliament  of  19  February  1998
(OJ  C  80,  16.3.1998,  p.  209),  Council  Common  of  Position
29 June 1998, and European Parliament Decision of . . . (not
yet  published  in  the  Official  Journal).

(4)  OJ  L  319,  12.12.1994,  p.  7.  Directive  as  amended  by

Directive  96/86/EC  (OJ  L  335,  24.12.1996,  p.  43).

Whereas  it  is  necessary  to  harmonise  the  approval
procedures  in  the  Member  States;

Whereas  this  Directive  will  be  one  of  the  separate
directives which must be fulfilled in order to comply with
type-approval  procedure  which  has  been
the  EC 

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established  by  Directive  70/156/EEC (1)  and  in  order  to
ensure  the  conformity  of  vehicles  with  the  requirements
of  the  EC  type-approval  procedure  established  by  that
Directive;  whereas,  therefore,  the  provisions  of  Directive
70/156/EEC  relating  to  vehicles  apply  to  this  Directive;

Whereas, in particular, Articles 3(4) and 4(3) of Directive
70/156/EEC  require  each  separate  Directive  to  have  an
information  document  attached  to  it  incorporating  the
relevant  items  of  Annex  I  to  that  Directive  and  also  a
type-approval  certificate  based  on  Annex  VI  thereto  in
order  that  type  approval  may  be  computerised,

HAVE  ADOPTED  THIS  DIRECTIVE:

Article  1

This Directive shall apply to vehicles of categories N and
O,  as  defined  in  Article  2  and  Annex  II  to  directive
70/156/EEC,  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous
goods  by  road  within  or  between  Member  States.

The  scope,  definition,  classification  and  requirements
relating to such vehicles and the administrative provisions
for EC type approval thereof are set out in Annexes I and
II  respectively  to  this  Directive.

Article  2

For  the  purposes  of  this  Directive:

—  ‘dangerous  goods’:  shall  mean  substances  and  articles

as  defined  in  Article  2  of  Directive  94/55/EC;

—  ‘transport’  shall  mean  road  transport  operation  as

defined  in  article  2  of  Directive  94/55/EC:

Article  3

(a)  the  following  item  to  Annex  I:

‘14.

SPECIAL  PROVISIONS  FOR  VEHICLES
INTENDED  FOR  THE  TRANSPORT  OF
DANGEROUS  GOODS

14.1.

Electrical  equipment  according  to  Directive
94/55/EC:  .......................................................

14.1.1. Protection against overheating of conductors:
........................................................................

14.1.2. Type  of  circuit  breaker:  ................................

14.1.3. Type and operation of battery master switch:
........................................................................

14.1.4. Description and location of safety barrier for
tachograph:  ....................................................

energised
14.1.5. Description 
installations. 
standard
applied:  ..........................................................

of 
Indicate 

permanently 

the  EN 

14.1.6. Construction  and  protection  of  electrical
installation situated to the rear of the driver’s
compartment:  .................................................

14.2.

Prevention  of  fire  risk:  ..................................

14.2.1. Type  of  not  readily  flammable  material  in
the  driver’s  compartment:  .............................

14.2.2. Type  of  heat  shield  behind  the  driver’s
compartment  (if  applicable):  .........................

14.2.3. Position  and  heat  protection  of  engine:  .......

14.2.4. Position  and  heat  protection  of  the  exhaust
system:  ...........................................................

14.2.5. Type  and  desgin  of  the  endurance  braking
systems’  heat  protection:  ...............................

14.2.6. Type,  design  and  position  of  combustion
heaters:  ...........................................................

14.3.

Special  requirements  for  bodywork,  if  any,
according  to  Directive  94/55/EC:  .................

14.3.1. Description  of  measures  to  comply  with  the
requirements for Type EX/II and Type EX/III
vehicles:  ..........................................................

14.3.2.

In the case of Type EX/III vehicles, resistance
against  heat  from  the  outside:  .................... ’

Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be  amended  by  the  addition
of:

(b) the  following  item  in  Part  I  of  Annex  IV:

(1)  Council  Directive  70/156/EEC  of  6  February  1970  on  the
approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to
the  type  approval  of  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  (OJ  L
42,  23.2.1970,  p.  1).  Directive  as  last  amended  by  Directive
98/14/EC  (OJ  L  91,  25.3.1998,  p.  1).

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Subject

Directive
Number

Official
Journal
reference

Applicability

M1 M2 M3 N1 N2 N3 O1 O2 O3 O4

‘56.  Vehicles

98/. . ./EC

L  . . .

×

×

×

×

×

×

×’

intended  for
the  transport
of  dangerous
goods

Article  4

Article  5

1. Member  States  may  not:

—  refuse,  in  respect  of  a  type  of  vehicle,  to  grant  EC
type  approval  or  to  grant  national  type  approval,  or

—  prohibit  the  registration,  sale  or  entry  into  service  of
base vehicles or complete vehicles as defined in Article
2  of  Directive  70/156/EEC

on  grounds  relating  to  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods
if  the  requirements  of  the  Annexes  to  this  Directive  are
fulfilled.

2. Member States may not prohibit the registration, sale
or  entry  into  service  of  a  vehicle  completed  from  a  base
vehicle as defined in Article 2 of Directive 70/156/EEC on
grounds  relating  to  the  base  vehicle  and  to  the  transport
of  dangerous  goods:

—  if  for  the  base  vehicle  the  requirements  of  the
Annexes  to  this  Directive  are  fulfilled  and  if  the
completion of the base vehicle has not invalidated this
compliance,  or

Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations
and  administrative  provisions  necessary  to  comply  with
this  Directive  by. . . (1)  at  the  latest,  and  shall  forthwith
inform  the  Commission  thereof.

When the Member States adopt these measures they shall
contain  a  reference  to  this  Directive  or  shall  be
accompanied  by  such  reference  on  the  occasion  of  their
official  publication.  The  methods  of  making  such  a
reference  shall  be  laid  down  by  the  Member  States.

Member States shall communicate to the Commission the
texts  of  the  main  provisions  of  the  national  law  which
they  adopt  in  the  field  governed  by  this  Directive.

Article  6

This  Directive  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  of  its
publication  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the  European
Communities.

Article  7

This  Directive  is  addressed  to  the  Member  States.

Done  at  Brussels,  . . .

—  if  for  the  completed  vehicle  the  requirements  of  the

Annexes  to  this  Directive  are  fulfilled.

For  the  European  Parliament

For  the  Council

The  President

The  President

(1)  12  months  after  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  this

Directive.

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ANNEX  I

SCOPE,  DEFINITION,  CLASSIFICATION,  REQUIREMENTS

1. 

Scope

1.1. 

This  Directive  shall  apply  to  any  vehicle,  whether  complete  (e.g.  one  stage  built  vans,  lorries,
tractors,  trailers),  incomplete  (e.g.  chassis  cab,  trailer  chassis),  or  completed  (e.g.  chassis,  chassis
cab  fitted  with  a  body  work),  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road.

2. 

Definition

2.1. 

A  ‘type  of  vehicle’  shall  consist  of  vehicles  which  do  not  differ  in  at  least  the  following  essential
aspects:

—  manufacturer,

—  manufacturer’s  type  designation,

—  category,

—  essential  aspects  of  construction  and  design  in  relation  with  the  ‘Technical  Provisions’  in

Appendix  B2  to  Annex  B  to  Directive  94/55/EC.

3. 

Classification  of  vehicles  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road

3.1. 

Vehicles intended for the transport of dangerous goods by road are classified according to marginal
220  301  of  Annex  B  to  Directive  94/55/EC  as  follows:

3.1.1.

EX/II

for  vehicles  intended  for  the  carriage  of  explosives  as  type  II  transport  units;

3.1.2.

EX/III

for  vehicles  intended  for  the  carriage  of  explosives  as  type  III  transport  units;

3.1.3.

FL

for  vehicles  intended  for  the  carriage  of  liquids  with  a  flashpoint  of  not  more  than  61 °C
or  flammable  gases,  in  tank-containers  of  more  than  3 000  litres  capacity,  fixed  tanks  or
demountable tanks and for battery vehicles of more than 1 000 litres capacity intended for
the  carriage  of  flammable  gases;

3.1.4. OX

for vehicles intended for the carriage of substances of class 5.1, marginal 2501, item 1(a),
in  tank-containers  of  more  than  3 000  litres  capacity,  fixed  tanks  or  demountable  tanks;

3.1.5.

AT

for  vehicles,  other  than  those  of  types  FL  or  OX,  intended  for  the  carriage  of  dangerous
goods  in  tank-containers  of  more  than  3 000  litres  capacity,  fixed  tanks  or  demountable
tanks and for battery vehicles of more than 1 000 litres capacity other tahn those of type
FL.

4. 

Requirements

The  requirements  regarding  the  construction  of  vehicles  intended  for  the  carriage  of  dangerous
goods  by  road,  including  the  provisions  for  their  type  approval,  where  appropriate,  laid  down  in
marginals  220  500  to  220  540  of  Annex  B  of  Directive  94/55/EC,  shall  be  fulfilled.

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ANNEX  II

ADMINISTRATIVE  PROVISIONS  FOR  EC  TYPE  APPROVAL

1. 

APPLICATION  FOR  EC  TYPE  APPROVAL

1.1. 

The application for EC type approval pursuant to Article 3(4) of Directive 70/156/EEC of a vehicle
type  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road  shall  be  submitted  by  the
manufacturer.

1.2. 

A  model  of  the  information  document  is  given  in  Appendix  1.

1.3. 

A  vehicle  or  vehicles  conforming  to  the  characteristics  described  in  Appendix  1  to  this  Directive
and selected to the satisfaction of the technical service in charge of the approval tests or checks as
being  representative  of  the  type  to  be  approved,  must  be  submitted  to  that  technical  service.

2. 

GRANTING  OF  EC  TYPE  APPROVAL

2.1. 

If  the  relevant  requirements  are  satisfied,  EC  type  approval  pursuant  to  Article  4(3)  and,  if
applicable,  Article  4(4)  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be  granted.

2.2 

A  model  of  the  EC  type-approval  certificate  is  given  in  Appendix  2.

2.3 

an  approval  number  in  accordance  with  Annex  VII  to  directive  70/156/EEC  shall  be  assigned  to
each  type  of  vehicle  approved.  The  same  Member  State  shall  not  assign  the  same  number  to
another  type  of  vehicle.

3. 

MODIFICATION  OF  THE  TYPE  AND  AMENDMENTS  TO  APPROVALS

3.1. 

3.2. 

In the case of modification of a vehicle type-approved pursuant to this Directive, the provisions of
Article  5  of  Directive  70/156/EEC  shall  apply.

A  partial  test  as  defined  by  the  technical  service  in  relation  to  the  modifications  made  may  be
carried  out.

4. 

CONFORMITY  OF  PRODUCTION

Measures to ensure the conformity of production shall be taken in accordance with the provisions
laid  down  in  Article  10  of  directive  70/156/EEC.

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Appendix  1

INFORMATION  DOCUMENT  No:  . . .

pursuant to Annex I of directive 70/156/EEC relating to the EC type approval of a vehicle intended for the
transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road

The  following  information,  if  applicable,  must  be  supplied  in  triplicate  and  include  a  list  of  contents.  Any
drawings must be suplied in appropriate scale and in sufficient detail on size A4 (210 mm × 297 mm) or on
a  folder  of  A4  format.  Photographs,  if  any,  must  show  sufficient  detail.

If the systems, components or separate technical units have electronic controls, information concerning their
performance  must  be  supplied.

0.

0.1

0.2.

GENERAL

Make  (trade  name  of  manufacturer):  ...........................................................................................

Type:  ..............................................................................................................................................

0.2.1.

General  commercial  name(s)  (if  applicable):  ................................................................................

0.3.

Means  of  identification  of  type,  if  marked  on  the  vehicle (b) (1):  ................................................

0.3.1.

Location  of  that  marking:  .............................................................................................................

0.4.

0.4.1.

0.5.

0.8.

1.

1.1

1.6.

2.

2.8.

2.9.

Category  of  vehicle (c)  ...................................................................................................................

Classification(s)  according  to  the  dangerous  goods  which  the  vehicle  is  intended  to  transport:
........................................................................................................................................................

Name  and  adress  of  manufacturer:  ..............................................................................................

Address(es)  of  assembly  plant(s):  ..................................................................................................

GENERAL  CONSTRUCTION  CHARACTERISTICS  OF  THE  VEHICLE

Photographs  and/or  drawing  of  a  representative  vehicle:  ............................................................

Position  and  arrangement  of  the  engine:  ......................................................................................

MASSES  AND  DIMENSIONS (e)  (in  kg  and  mm)

Technically  permissible  maximum  laden  mass  stated  by  the  manufacturer  (y)  (max.  and  min.
for  each  variant):  ...........................................................................................................................

Technically  permissible  maximum  load/mass  on  each  axle:  ........................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

2.10.

Technically  permissible  maximum  load/mass  on  each  axle  group:  ..............................................

3.

3.2.

POWER  PLANT (q)

Internal  combustion  engine

3.2.2.

Fuel:  diesel  oil/petrol/LPG/any  other (2)

3.2.3.1.

S e r v i c e   f u e l   t a n k s

3.2.3.1.2. Drawing  and  technical  description  of  the  tank(s)  with  all  connections  and  all  lines  of  the
breathing  and  venting  system,  locks,  valves,  fastening  devices:  ...................................................

(1)  The item numbers and footnotes used in this information document correspond to those set out in annex I to Directive

70/156/EEC.  Items  not  relevant  for  the  purpose  of  Directive  98/. . ./EC  are  omitted

(2)  Delete  where  not  applicable.

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3.2.3.1.3. Drawing  clearly  showing  the  position  of  the  tank(s)  in  the  vehicle:  ...........................................
........................................................................................................................................................

3.2.3.2.

R e s e r v e   f u e l   t a n k s

3.2.3.2.2. Drawing  and  technical  description  of  the  tank(s)  with  all  connections  and  all  lines  of  the
breathing  and  venting  system,  locks,  valves,  fastening  devices:  ...................................................
........................................................................................................................................................

3.2.3.2.3. Drawing  clearly  showing  the  position  of  the  tank(s)  in  the  vehicle:  ...........................................
........................................................................................................................................................

8.

8.5.

8.5.1.

8.9.

BRAKES

Anti-lock  braking  system:  Yes/No/optional (1)

For  vehicles  with  anti-lock  systems,  description  of  system  operation  (including  any  electronic
parts),  elelctric  block  diagram,  hydraulic  or  pneumatic  circuit  plan:  ..........................................

Brief description of the braking devices (according to item 1.6 of the Addendum to appendix 1
of  Annex  IX  to  directive  71/320/EEC):  ........................................................................................

8.11.

Particulars  of  the  type(s)  of  endurance  braking  system(s):  ..........................................................

9.

9.1.

9.2.

BODYWORK

Type  of  bodywork:  ........................................................................................................................

Materials  used  and  method  of  construction:  ................................................................................

12.

12.6.

MISCELLANEOUS

Speed  limiters

12.6.1.

Manufacturer(s):  ............................................................................................................................

12.6.2.

Type(s):  ..........................................................................................................................................

12.6.3.

Approval  number(s),  if  available:  ..................................................................................................

14.

SPECIAL  PROVISIONS  FOR  VEHICLES  INTENDED  FOR  THE  TRANSPORT  OF
DANGEROUS  GOODS

14.1.

Electrical  equipment  according  to  Directive  94/55/EC:  ...............................................................

14.1.1.

Protection  against  overheating  of  conductors:  .............................................................................

14.1.2.

Type  of  circuit  breaker:  ................................................................................................................

14.1.3.

Type  and  operation  of  battery  master  switch:  .............................................................................

14.1.4.

Description  and  location  of  safety  barrier  for  tachograph:  .........................................................

14.1.5.

Description  of  permanently  energised  installations.  Indicate  the  EN  standard  applied:  .............

14.1.6.

Construction  and  protection  of  electrical  installation  situated  to  the  rear  of  the  driver’s
compartment:  .................................................................................................................................

14.2.

Prevention  of  fire  risks:  .................................................................................................................

14.2.1.

Type  of  not  readily  flammable  material  in  the  driver’s  compartment:  .......................................

14.2.2.

Type  of  heat  shield  behind  the  driver’s  compartment  (if  applicable):  .........................................

14.2.3.

Position  and  heat  protection  of  engine  ........................................................................................

(2)  Delete  where  not  applicable.

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14.2.4.

Position  and  heat  protection  of  the  exhaust  system:  ...................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

14.2.5.

Type  and  design  of  the  endurance  braking  systems  heat  protection:  ..........................................

........................................................................................................................................................

14.2.6.

Type,  design  and  position  of  combustion  heaters:  .......................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

14.3

Special  requirements  for  bodywork,  if  any,  according  to  Directive  94/55/EC:

14.3.1.

Description  of  measures  to  comply  with  the  requirements  for  Type  EX/II  and  Type  EX/III
vehicles:  ..........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................

14.3.2.

In  the  case  of  Type  EX/III  vehicles,  resistance  against  heat  from  the  outside:  ...........................

........................................................................................................................................................

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Appendix  2

MODEL

(maximum  format:  A4  (210  ×  297  mm))

EC-TYPE-APPROVAL  CERTIFICATE

Stamp  of  Administration

Communication  concerning  the:

—  type  approval (1),

—  extension  of  type  approval (1),

—  refusal  of  type  approval (1),

—  withdrawal  of  type  approval (1),

of  a  type  of  vehicle/component/separate  technical  unit (1)  with  regard  to  Directive  98/. . ./EC  relating  to
motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by  road  and  amending
Directive  70/156/EEC  relating  to  the  type  approval  of  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers.

EC  type  approval  No:  ......................................................................................................................................

Reason  for  extension:  .......................................................................................................................................

SECTION  I

0.1. Make  (trade  name  of  manufacturer):  ....................................................................................................

0.2.

Type:  .......................................................................................................................................................

0.2.1. Commercial  name(s)  (if  applicable):  ......................................................................................................

0.3. Means  of  identification  of  type,  if  marked  on  the  vehicle/component/separate  technical  unit (2):  .....

0.3.1. Location  of  that  marking:  .....................................................................................................................

0.4.

Category  of  vehicle (3):  ...........................................................................................................................

0.5. Name  and  address  of  manufacturer:  .....................................................................................................

Name  and  address  of  manufacturer  of  the  latest-built  stage  of  the  vehicle:  .......................................

0.8. Name(s)  and  address(es)  of  assembly  plant(s):  .....................................................................................

SECTION  II

1.

2.

3.

4.

Additional  information  where  applicable  (see  Addendum)

Technical  service  responsible  for  carrying  out  the  tests:  ......................................................................

Date  of  test  report:  ................................................................................................................................

Number  of  test  report:  ..........................................................................................................................

(1)  Delete  where  not  applicable.
(2)  If  the  means  of  identification  of  type  contains  characters  not  relevant  to  describe  the  vehicle,  component  or  separate
technical unit types covered by this type-approval certificate, such characters shall be represented in the documentation
by  the  symbol  ‘?’  (e.g.  ABC??123???).

(3)  As  defined  in  annex  II.  A  to  Directive  70/156/EEC.

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5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

any  remarks  (see  Addendum):  ...............................................................................................................

Place:  ......................................................................................................................................................

Date:  .......................................................................................................................................................

Signature:  ................................................................................................................................................

The  index  to  the  type-approval  file  submitted  to  the  competent  authorities,  which  may  be  obtained
on  request,  is  attached.

to EC type-approval certificate No: . . . concerning the type approval of a vehicle intended for the transport
of  dangerous  goods  by  road  with  regard  to  Directive  98/. . ./EC

Addendum

1.

Additional  information (1)

1.1.

Classification  in  accordance  with  paragraph  3  of  Annex  I:  .................................................................

1.2.

1.3.

Brief  description  of  the  vehicle  type  as  regards  its  structure,  dimensions,  and  constituent  materials:
.................................................................................................................................................................

Location of engine (for Types EX/II and EX/III including location forward of the front of the loading
compartment  or  under  the  loading  compartment):  ...............................................................................

5.

Remarks:  .................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................................

(1)  If  necessary,  reference  can  be  made  to  the  information  document.

19.8.98

EN

Official  Journal  of  the  European  Communities

C  262/11

STATEMENT  OF  THE  COUNCIL’S  REASONS

I. 

INTRODUCTION

1.  On 2 December 1996 the Commission forwarded a proposal, based on article 100a of
the EC Treaty, relating to motor vehicles and their trailers intended for the transport of
dangerous  goods  by  road  and  amending  Directive  70/156/EEC  relating  to  the
type-approval  of  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers.

2.  The  European  Parliament  delivered  its  Opinion  on  19  February  1998  proposing  one

amendment.

3.  The  Economic  and  Social  Committee  delivered  its  Opinion  on  9  July  1997.

4.  On  29  June  1998,  the  Council  adopted  a  common  position  on  the  Commission

proposal  in  accordance  with  Article  189b  of  the  Treaty.

II.  OBJECTIVE

5.  The  objective  of  the  proposal  for  a  directive  is  to  establish  the  technical  requirements
for  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  intended  for  the  transport  of  dangerous  goods  by
road  and  to  ensure  total  harmonisation  of  the  relevant  technical  provisions.

III.  ANALYSIS  OF  THE  COMMON  POSITION

6.  Enacting  terms

The articles of the common position have been revised in order to bring them into line
with the structure of other recent Directives adopted by the Council and the European
Parliament  in  the  motor  vehicles  field  (cf.  Directive  97/27/EC  relating  to  masses  and
dimensions  of  certain  categories  of  motor  vehicles).

In  Article  2  the  definition  of  the  ADR  agreement  has  been  deleted  since  there  is  no
reference to that agreement in the remaining articles or in the annexes. A reference has
been included, however, in the preamble in order to demonstrate the link between this
Directive  and  the  said  agreement.

7.  Annexes

The  amendments  of  the  technical  annexes  are  mainly  editorial  adjustments  to  take
account  on  the  one  hand  of  the  enlargement  of  the  scope  introduced  in  Annex  I,  1.1,
and  on  the  other  hand  of  Directive  97/27/EC  which  has  been  adopted  since  the
Commission  put  forward  its  proposal.  The  Council  has  simplified  the  definition  in
Annex  I,  2.1,  by  cross  referring  to  the  technical  provisions  relevant  to  the  transport  of
dangerous goods contained in Directive 94/55/EC, Annex lB, as the aspects listed in the
Commission  proposal  were  judged  unnecessarily  restrictive  on  manufacturers.

Annex  II  has  been  aligned  on  the  standard  administrative  type-approval  provisions
flowing  from  Directive  92/53/EEC.

Appendix 1 to Annex II has also been aligned on Directives 92/53/EEC and 97/27/EC.
Furthermore, more detailed sub-items have been added to section 8 (‘Brakes’), and two
new sections, 12 (‘Miscellaneous’) and 14 (‘Special provisions for vehicles intended for
the  transport  of  dangerous  goods’)  have  been  introduced.  Section  2  relating  to  masses
and dimensions has been removed since it is not relevant for the type-approval purposes
of  vehicles  intended  for  the  carriage  of  dangerous  goods.