Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus
Date: 2004-06-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: agreement (EU), bus, carriage of passengers, international road transport, joint committee (EU), rules of procedure, technical standard

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 10.6.2004 
COM(2004) 420 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft 
recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on 
the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

On  1  January  2003,  the  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional  carriage  of 
passengers by coach and bus entered into force between the European Community, the Czech 
Republic,  Hungary,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Romania  and  Slovenia.1  The  Agreement  was  also 
ratified by Bulgaria, Poland and Croatia. It has applied to these countries since 1 March 2003, 
1 July 2003 and 1 August 2003 respectively. 

Article  23  establishes  a  Joint  Committee  responsible  for  the  management  and  proper 
application of the Agreement. 

The Joint Committee held its first meeting on 6 May 2003 in Brussels. 

1. 

OBLIGATIONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE 

The  Interbus  Agreement  imposes  various  obligations  on  the  Joint  Committee.  In  particular, 
the Committee is responsible for: 

–  drawing up, on the basis of the information provided by the Contracting Parties, a 
list  of  the  authorities  responsible  for  certain  tasks  provided  for  under  the 
Agreement; 

–  amending  or  adapting  the  control  documents  and  other  models  of  documents 

established in the Annexes to the Agreement; 

–  amending or adapting the Annexes concerning the technical standards applying to 
buses and coaches, as well as Annex 1 regarding the conditions applying to road 
passenger transport operators referred to in Article 4, in order to incorporate the 
new measures taken by the European Community; 

–  drawing up, on the basis of the information provided by the Contracting Parties, a 
list,  for  information,  of  all  custom  duties,  taxes  and  charges  referred  to  in 
Article 9;  

–  amending or adapting the requirements concerning the social provisions referred 
to  in  Article  8  in  order  to  incorporate  the  new  measures  taken  by  the  European 
Community;  

–  resolving any dispute which may arise over the implementation and interpretation 

of this agreement;  

–  recommending further steps towards the liberalisation of those occasional services 

still subject to authorisation. 

Provision has also been made for the Joint Committee to adopt its rules of procedure. 

The  Joint  Committee  may  adopt  decisions  seeking  to  implement  the  Interbus  Agreement. 
Pursuant to Article 23(6), these decisions need to be adopted unanimously by the Contracting 

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OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 11. 

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Parties  represented  at  the  Committee  meeting.  The  Joint  Committee  may  also  adopt 
recommendations, notably under Article 24(2)(g) of the Agreement. 

2. 

COMMUNITY  POSITION  REGARDING  DRAFT  DECISION  1/2003  AND  DRAFT 
RECOMMENDATION 1/2003 

Article  3  of  Council  Decision  2002/917/EC  of  3  October  2002  on  the  conclusion  of  the 
Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 
stipulates that the position to be taken by the Community within the Joint Committee should 
be adopted by the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission. 
The Council acts by simple majority whenever the decision which the Committee proposes to 
take relates to the rules of procedure of that Committee. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Joint  Committee,  which  was  held  on  6  May  2003,  the 
representatives  of  the  Contracting  Parties  and  the  Member  States  took  the  view  that  the 
Committee  should  adopt  a  decision  involving,  on  the  one  hand,  the  adoption  of  its  rules  of 
procedure and, on the other, the adaptation of certain rules of a technical and social nature. It 
was also felt that the Joint Committee should put forward a recommendation concerning the 
use of a technical report for coaches and buses. 

The  Council  is  invited  to  approve  the  Community  position  relating  to  the  adoption  of  this 
decision and the drawing-up of this Joint Committee recommendation.  

Draft Decision 1/2003 

Firstly, draft Decision 1/2003 seeks to bring about the adoption by the Joint Committee of its 
rules of procedure in accordance with Article 23 of the Interbus Agreement. 

Among  other  provisions,  the  rules  of  procedure  include  the  procedures  for  convening 
meetings, appointing the Chairman and laying down the latter’s terms of reference. Under the 
proposed rules of procedure,  the  terms  of reference of the chairman of the Joint Committee 
are to be exercised by a representative of the European Commission who will  also  serve as 
head  of  the  European  Community  delegation.  In  this  last  task,  he  will  be  assisted  by 
representatives  from  the  Member  States.  The  Contracting  Parties  will  also  nominate  one  or 
more representatives plus a head of delegation and, where appropriate, an alternate. Given the 
number  of  countries  that  are  Contracting  Parties  to  the  Agreement,  and  that  this  number  is 
likely  to  rise  following  future  accessions,  the  view  prevailed  at  the  meeting  of  the  Joint 
Committee held on 6 May 2003 that it would be very difficult in practice for the chairmanship 
of the Committee to be held by each contracting country in rotation. 

The rules of procedure contain provisions on the organisation and convening of meetings and 
on procedures for taking decisions and making recommendations.  

The  languages  used  at  the  Committee  meetings  and  for  the  issuing  of  documents  will  be 
French,  English  and  German,  i.e.  the  three  languages  in  which  the  Interbus  Agreement  was 
deposited in the Archives of the Secretariat General of the Council.  

Secondly, this draft Decision seeks, in accordance with Article 24(2)(c) and (e) of the Interbus 
Agreement,  to  adapt  Annex  2  concerning  the  technical  standards  applying  to  buses  and 
coaches, as well as the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 

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of  that  Agreement  in  order  to  incorporate  the  new  measures  taken  in  the  European 
Community. 

The  opening-up  of  the  passenger  transport  market  under  the  Interbus  Agreement  must  be 
accompanied  by  the  adoption  by  the  countries  concerned  of  the  Community's  technical  and 
social legislation applicable to this sector, and any adaptations made to such legislation. It is 
necessary  to  ensure,  in  a  spirit  of  healthy  competition,  that  all  operators  –  of  the  Member 
States and of the Interbus contracting countries – be subject to the same requirements when 
carrying  out  their  activity.  The  proposed  adaptations  will  also  help  to  improve  safety 
conditions,  in  particular  the  rules  on  rest  periods  and  driving  time,  and  the  technical 
specifications concerning the construction of buses.  

In  the  case  of  Bulgaria  and  Romania,  however,  a  derogation  from  the  adoption  of  the 
Community acquis is being proposed with respect to Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 on the 
introduction of electronic tachographs, in so far as it is already clear that these two countries 
will  not  be  in  a  position  to  apply  these  provisions.  The  granting  of  special  treatment  for 
Bulgaria  and  Romania  is  consistent  with  the  views  expressed  at  the  meeting  of  the  Joint 
Committee held on 6 May 2003. 

Draft Decision 1/2003 

Draft  Recommendation  1/2003  seeks  to  encourage  the  use  by  the  Member  States  and  the 
Interbus contracting countries of a technical report for coaches and buses. 

New  vehicles  which  are  type-approved  as  from  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  the  Interbus 
Agreement  in  a  contracting  country  and  are  used  for  providing  international  occasional 
services  covered  by  this  Agreement  must  conform  to  the  technical  standards  specified  in 
Article 2 of Annex 2. In view of the complexity of these rules and the difficulty of ensuring 
adequate  compliance  checks  by  the  competent  national  authorities,  the  authorities  in  the 
Interbus  contracting  countries  and  the  Member  States  are  being  encouraged  to  draw  up  a 
document attesting to the fact that the buses and coaches registered in their countries meet the 
technical standards specified in Article 2 of Annex 2 to the Interbus Agreement. Whilst not 
conferring  any  additional  rights,  this  document  will  nevertheless  facilitate  inspections  and 
hence reduce the time needed for checking vehicles. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning the Community position regarding draft Decision 1/2003 and draft 
recommendation 1/2003 of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on 
the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 

Having regard to Council Decision 2002/917/EC of 3 October 20022 on the conclusion of the 
Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus, 
and in particular Article 3(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

The  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional  carriage  of  passengers  by 
coach  and  bus  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  Agreement”)  entered  into  force  on 
1 January 2003. 

Article 23 establishes a Joint Committee responsible for the management and proper 
application of the Agreement. 

(3) 

Pursuant to Article 23(3), the Committee is required to draw up its rules of procedure. 

(4) 

(5) 

The Committee is responsible, in accordance with Article 24(2)(c) and (e) for adapting 
Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, as well as 
the  requirements  concerning  the  social  provisions  referred  to  in  Article  8  of  the 
Agreement  in  order  to  incorporate  the  new  measures  taken  in  the  European 
Community. 

In  accordance  with  Article  24(1),  the  Joint  Committee  shall  ensure  the  correct 
application  of  the  Agreement.  To  this  end,  a  recommendation  should  be  made 
advocating  the  use  of  a  technical  report  for  coaches  and  buses  with  a  view  to 
facilitating  the  monitoring  of  the  provisions  of  Articles  1  and  2  of  Annex  2  to  the 
Agreement. 

(6) 

The  Community  is  required  to  adopt  a  position  on  the  draft  Decision  and  draft 
recommendation of the Joint Committee. 

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OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 11. 

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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The position of the European Community within the Joint Committee set up under Article 23 
of the Interbus Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and 
bus is based on the attached draft Decision and draft recommendation. 

Done at Brussels, [...] 

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX 

Draft Decision No 1/2003 

of the Joint Committee established under the Interbus Agreement on the international 
occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 

of….. 

adopting its rules of procedure and adapting, on the one hand, Annex 2 concerning the 
technical standards applying to buses and coaches and, on the other, the social 
provisions referred to in Article 8 of the Agreement 

THE JOINT COMMITTEE, 

Having  regard  to  the  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional  carriage  of 
passengers by coach and bus,3 and in particular Articles 23 and 24 thereof, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

Under  Article  23(3)  of  the  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional 
carriage of passengers by coach and bus (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”), 
the Committee is required to draw up its rules of procedure.  

The  Committee  is  responsible,  in  accordance  with  Article  24(2)(c)  and  (e)  for 
adapting Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches, 
as well as the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 
of  the  Agreement  in  order  to  incorporate  the  new  measures  taken  in  the  European 
Community. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The rules of procedure of the Joint Committee annexed to this Decision are hereby adopted. 

Article 2 

Annex 2 to the Agreement concerning the technical standards applying to buses and coaches 
as  well  the  requirements  concerning  the  social  provisions  referred  to  in  Article  8  of  that 
Agreement are hereby adapted in accordance with the accompanying Annex. 

Done at Brussels, [...] 

The Chairman, 

The Secretary, 

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OJ L 321, 26.11.2002, p. 13. 

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Rules of procedure of the Joint Committee established under the Interbus Agreement on 
the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 

Article 1 - Name of Joint Committee 

The  Joint  Committee  established  under  Article  23  of  the  Interbus  Agreement  on  the 
international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus shall hereinafter be referred 
to as “the Committee”. 

Article 2 - Chairmanship 

The  Committee  shall  be  chaired  by  a  representative  of  the  Commission  of  the 
1. 
European  Communities  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  Commission”),  on  behalf  of  the 
European Community (hereinafter referred to as “the Community”). 

The head of the Community delegation, or where necessary his deputy, shall carry out 

2. 
the duties of the Chairman of the Committee. 

3. 

The Chairman shall direct the work of the Committee. 

Article 3 - Delegations 

The parties for which the Agreement has entered into force (hereinafter referred to as 
1. 
“the  parties”)  shall  appoint  their  representatives  on  the  Committee.  The  Community 
delegation shall be made up of representatives of the Commission, assisted by representatives 
of the Member States. 

2. 

Each party shall appoint the head and, where necessary, deputy head of its delegation. 

Each  party  may  appoint  new  representatives  on  the  Committee.The  Secretary  of  the 

3. 
Committee shall be informed forthwith in writing of any such changes. 

4. 
Representatives of the Council of the European Union may take part as observers in 
the  meetings  of  the  Committee.  The  Chairman,  with  the  agreement  of  the  other  heads  of 
delegation, may invite persons who are not members of delegations to attend a meeting of the 
Committee in order to provide information on specific subjects. 

At  least  one  week  before  the  meeting,  the  parties  shall  notify  the  Secretary  of  the 

5. 
Committee of the composition of their delegation. 

Article 4 - Secretariat 

1. 
A  representative  of  the  Commission  shall  provide  the  secretariat  for  the  Committee. 
The Secretary shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee and shall carry out his 
duties until a new Secretary is appointed. The Commission shall notify the name and details 
of its Secretary to the other parties. 

The  Secretary  shall  be  responsible  for  communication  between  the  delegations, 

2. 
including the transmission of documents, and shall supervise secretarial duties. 

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Article 5 - Meetings of the Committee 

The Committee shall meet at the request of at least one party. It shall be convened by 

1. 
the Chairman. 

The Chairman shall send the notice of the meeting, together with the draft agenda and 
2. 
the meeting documents, to the heads of the other delegations at least 15 working days before 
the beginning of the meeting. 

A  party  may  request  the  Chairman  to  shorten  the  periods  of  notice  referred  to  in 

3. 
paragraph 2 to take account of the urgency of a particular matter. 

Unless otherwise decided by the heads of delegations, the meetings of the Committee 

4. 
shall not be public. 

5. 

The Committee shall meet in Brussels, unless the parties agree to meet elsewhere. 

Article 6 - Agenda 

1. 
The  Chairman,  assisted  by  the  Secretary,  shall  draw  up  the  draft  agenda  for  each 
meeting and shall fix the date and venue of the meeting after consulting the heads of the other 
delegations. The Chairman shall send the provisional agenda to the other heads of delegation 
at  least  15  working  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting.  The  agenda  shall  be 
accompanied by all the necessary working documents. 

The  period  of  notice  laid  down  in  paragraph  1  shall  not  apply  to  urgent  meetings 

2. 
convened in accordance with Article 5(3). 

3. 
Each party may propose one or more items to be added to the agenda at the latest 24 
hours before the beginning of the meeting. Requests to have items added to the agenda shall 
be sent in writing to the Chairman, indicating the reason therefor. 

4. 
At  the  beginning  of  the  meeting,  the  Committee  shall  adopt  the  agenda.  The 
Committee may decide to add to the agenda an item which is not contained in the provisional 
agenda. 

Article 7 - Adoption of acts 

in  accordance  with  Article  23(5)  and  (6)  of 

1. 
The  decisions  of  the  Committee  shall  be  adopted  by  unanimous  vote  of  the  parties 
the  Agreement.  The 
represented, 
recommendations,  and  in  particular  those  referred  to  in  Article  24(2)(g)  of  the  Agreement, 
shall be taken by consensus between the delegations of the parties represented. The decisions 
and  recommendations  shall  bear  the  title  “Decision”  or  “Recommendation”  followed  by  a 
serial number, the date of their adoption and an indication of their content. 

The decisions and recommendations of the Committee shall bear the signature of the 

2. 
Chairman and the Secretary. They shall be sent by the Secretary to the other delegations. 

3. 

Each party may decide to publish any act adopted by the Committee. 

The acts of the Committee may be adopted by written procedure where this has been 
4. 
agreed by the heads of delegation. The Chairman shall submit the draft act to the other heads 

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of delegation  who  shall  indicate in  reply whether or not they accept the  draft, whether  they 
propose amendments to the draft or whether they require more time to consider it. If the draft 
is  adopted,  the  Chairman  shall  finalise  the  decision  or  recommendation  in  accordance  with 
paragraphs 1 and 2. 

5. 
The  recommendations  and  decisions  shall  be  drawn  up  in  English,  French  and 
German, these texts being authentic. Each party shall be responsible for the correct translation 
of  recommendations  and  decisions  into  its  official  language  or  languages.  Translation  into 
other Community languages shall be carried out by the Commission. 

Article 8 - Minutes 

The Secretary shall draw up, under the responsibility of the Chairman, draft minutes 

1. 
of each meeting of the Committee within 15 working days following the meeting. 

2. 

The minutes shall, as a general rule, indicate in respect of each item on the agenda: 

–  details of the documents submitted to the Committee, 

–  statements which a party has asked to be recorded, 

–  the decisions taken, recommendations made and conclusions adopted.   

The  draft  minutes  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Committee  for  approval  in  accordance 
3. 
with the written procedure referred to in Article 7(4). If this procedure is not completed, the 
minutes shall be adopted by the Committee at its next meeting. 

Once adopted by the Committee, the minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the 
4. 
Secretary and kept by the Secretary. A copy shall be sent by the Secretary to the other heads 
of delegation. 

Article 9 - Confidentiality 

Notwithstanding  the  provision  on  the  publication  of  acts  laid  down  in  Article  7(3),  the 
deliberations  of  the  meetings  and  the  documents  of  the  Committee  shall  be  governed  by 
professional secrecy. 

Article 10 - Expenses 

Each  party  shall  bear  the  expenses  it  incurs  in  taking  part  in  the  meetings  of  the 

1. 
Committee. 

The  Committee  shall  decide  on  the  reimbursement  of  expenses  connected  with 

2. 
missions assigned to experts called in by the Chairman in accordance with Article 3(4). 

Article 11 - Correspondence 

All correspondence with or from the Chairman of the Committee shall be sent to the Secretary 
of  the  Committee.  The  Secretary  shall  send  a  copy  of  all  correspondence  relating  to  the 
Agreement to all delegations. 

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Article 12 - Languages 

1. 
The  languages  used  in  meetings  of  the  Committee  shall  be  English,  French  and 
German.  There  shall  be  no  obligation  on  the  party  hosting  the  meeting  to  provide 
interpretation for other languages. 

2. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7 relating to the use of languages for acts of 
the Committee, the documents of the Committee and all correspondence shall be drawn up in 
English, French and German. 

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Adaptation of Annex 2 concerning the technical standards applying to buses and 
coaches as well the requirements concerning the social provisions referred to in Article 8 
of the Interbus Agreement 

The  following  Community  acts  are  added  to  the  acts  listed  in  Annex  2  to  the  Interbus 
agreement:4 

a) 

Roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers 

Article 1 of Annex 2 

Commission Directive 1999/52/EC of 26 May 1999 adapting to technical progress Council 
Directive  96/96/EC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to 
roadworthiness  tests  for  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  (Official  Journal  of  the  European 
Communities No L 142, 5/6/1999, p. 26) 

Directive 2000/30/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 June 2000 on the 
technical roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the 
Community (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 203, 10/8/2000, p. 1) 

Commission  Directive  2001/9/EC  of  12  February  2001  adapting  to  technical  progress 
Council Directive 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating 
to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of the European 
Communities No L 48, 17/2/2001, p. 18) 

Commission  Directive  2001/11/EC  of  14  February  2001  adapting  to  technical  progress 
Council Directive 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating 
to  roadworthiness  tests  for  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers  -  Functional  testing  of 
commercial vehicles' speed limitation device (Official Journal of the European Communities 
No L 48, 17/2/2001, p. 20) 

b) 

Speed limitation devices 

Directive 2002/85/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 November 2002 
amending Council Directive 92/6/EEC on the installation and use of speed limitation devices 
for certain categories of motor vehicles in the Community (Official Journal of the European 
Communities No L 327, 4/12/2002, p. 8) 

c) 

Maximum dimensions and maximum weights 

Directive  2002/7/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  18  February  2002 
amending  Council  Directive  96/53/EC  laying  down  for  certain  road  vehicles  circulating 
within  the  Community  the  maximum  authorised  dimensions  in  national  and  international 
traffic and the  maximum  authorised weights in international traffic (Official  Journal of the 
European Communities No L 67, 9/3/2002, p. 47) 

d) 

Recording equipment in road transport 

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 of 13 June 2002 adapting for the seventh time 
to technical progress Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road 
transport (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 207, 5/8/2002, p. 1) 

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The updating of the acts takes account of the new measures adopted by the Community up to 31 March 
2003 

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Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 is not applicable to Bulgaria and Romania. 

Exhaust emissions 

Article 2 of Annex 2 

Directive  1999/96/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  13  December  1999  on  the 
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against the emission 
of  gaseous  and  particulate  pollutants  from  compression  ignition  engines  for  use  in  vehicles,  and  the 
emission  of  gaseous  pollutants  from  positive  ignition  engines  fuelled  with  natural  gas  or  liquefied 
petroleum gas for use in vehicles and amending Council Directive 88/77/EEC (Official Journal of the 
European Communities No L 44, 16/2/2000, p. 1) 

Commission Directive 2001/27/EC of 10 April 2001 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 
88/77/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken 
against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use 
in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural 
gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 
107, 18/4/2001, p. 10) 

Smoke 

Commission  Directive  97/20/EC  of  18  April  1997  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council  Directive 
72/306/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  the  measures  to  be 
taken against the emission of pollutants from diesel engines for use in vehicles (Official Journal of the 
European Communities No L 125, 16/5/1997, p. 21) 

Noise emissions 

Commission Directive 96/20/EC of 27 March 1996 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 
70/157/EEC relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles (Official 
Journal No L 92, 13/4/1996, p. 23) 

Commission  Directive  1999/101/EC  of  15  December  1999  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council 
Directive 70/157/EEC relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles 
(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 334, 28/12/1999, p. 41) 

Tyres 

Directive  2001/43/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  27  June  2001  amending 
Council Directive 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and to their fitting 
(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 211, 4/8/2001, p. 25) 

Fuel tank 

Council  Directive  70/221/EEC  of  20  March  1970  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member 
States  relating  to  liquid  fuel  tanks  and  rear  protective  devices  for  motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers 
(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 76, 6/4/1970, p. 23) 

Directive  2000/8/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  20  March  2000  amending 
Council  Directive  70/221/EEC  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member  States  relating  to 
liquid fuel tanks and rear underrun protection of motor vehicles and their trailers (Official Journal of 
the European Communities No L 106, 3/5/2000, p. 7) 

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Rear-view mirrors 

Council  Directive  71/127/EEC  of  1  March  1971  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member 
States  relating  to  the  rear-view  mirrors  of  motor  vehicles  (Official  Journal  of  the  European 
Communities No L 68, 22/3/1971, p. 1) 

Commission Directive 88/321/EEC of 16 May 1988 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 
71/127/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the rear-view mirrors 
of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 147, 14/6/1988, p. 77) 

Safety belts - Installation 

Council  Directive  77/541/EEC  of  28  June  1977  on  the  approximation  of  the  laws  of  the  Member 
States relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (Official Journal of the European 
Communities No L 220, 29/8/1977, p. 95) 

Commission  Directive  96/36/EC  of  17  June  1996  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council  Directive 
77/541/EEC  relating  to  safety  belts  and  restraint  systems  of  motor  vehicles  (Official  Journal  of  the 
European Communities No L 178, 17/7/1996, p. 15) 

Commission  Directive  2000/3/EC  of  22  February  2000  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council 
Directive 77/541/EEC relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (Official Journal 
of the European Communities No L 53, 25/2/2000, p. 1) 

Safety belts - Anchorages for safety belts 

Council Directive 76/115/EEC of 18 December 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member 
States  relating  to  anchorages  for  motor-vehicle  safety  belts  (Official  Journal  of  the  European 
Communities No L 24, 30/1/1976, p. 6) 

Commission  Directive  96/38/EC  of  17  June  1996  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council  Directive 
76/115/EEC  relating  to  anchorages  for  motor-vehicle  safety  belts  (Official  Journal  of  the  European 
Communities No L 187, 26/7/1996, p. 95) 

Safety belts - Seats 

Council Directive 74/408/EEC of 22 July 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States 
relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (strength of seats and of their anchorages) (Official 
Journal of the European Communities No L 221, 12/8/1974, p. 1) 

Commission  Directive  96/37/EC  of  17  June  1996  adapting  to  technical  progress  Council  Directive 
74/408/EEC  relating  to  the  interior  fittings  of  motor  vehicles  (strength  of  seats  and  of  their 
anchorages) (Official Journal of the European Communities No L 186, 25/7/1996, p. 28) 

Interior construction (prevention of the risk of fire spreading) 

Directive 95/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 relating to the 
burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicle 
(Official Journal of the European Communities No L 281, 23/11/1995, p. 1) 

Interior construction (Emergency exits, access, seating dimension, superstructure resistance, etc.) 

Directive 2001/85/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2001 relating to 
special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in 
addition to the driver's seat, and amending Directives 70/156/EEC and 97/27/EC (Official Journal of 
the European Communities No L 42, 13/2/2002, p. 1) 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
Consequently, the table set out in Article 2 of Annex 2 is replaced by the following table: 

Heading 

UN-ECE Regulation / last 
amendment 

EC Directive 
(original-latest) 

Exhaust emissions 

49/01 
49/02, type approval A 
49/02, type approval B 

Smoke 

Noise emissions 

24/03 

51/02 

Braking devices 

13/09 

Tyres 

Lighting and light-signalling 
devices 

Fuel tank 

Rear-view mirrors 

Safety belts - Installation 

Safety belts - Anchorages 

Safety belts - Seats 

Interior construction 
(prevention of the risk of fire 
spreading) 
Interior construction 
(Emergency exits, access, 
seating dimension, 
superstructure resistance, etc.) 

54 

48/01 

34/02 
67/01 
110 
46/01 

16/04 
44/03 

14/05 

17/07 
80/01 
Proposal 
TRANS/WP.29/2002/23 

for  a  Regulation 

36/03 
52/01 
66 
107 

Date of 
implementation 
within the EU 
1.10.1993 
1.10.1996 

2.8.1972 

1.10.1989 
1.10.1996 

1.10.1991 
1.10.1994 

1.1.1993 

1.1.1994 

3.5.2003 

1.10.1990 

1.10.1999 

1.10.1999 

1.10.1999 

24.10.1999 

88/77/EEC 
91/542/EEC stage 1 
91/542/EEC stage 2 
96/1/EC  
1999/96/EC 
2001/27/EC 
72/306/EEC 
97/20/EC 
70/157/EEC 
84/424/EEC 
92/97/EEC 
96/20/EC  
1999/101/EC 
71/320/EEC 
88/194/EEC 
91/422/EEC 
98/12/EC 
92/23/EEC 
2001/43/EC 
76/756/EEC 
91/663/EEC 
97/28/EC 
70/221/EEC 
2000/8/EC 

71/127/EEC 
88/321/EEC 
77/541/EEC 
96/36/EC  
2000/3/EC 
76/115/EEC 
96/38/EC  
74/408/EEC 
96/37/EC  
95/28/EC 

2001/85/EC 

13.02.2004 

EN 

15 

   EN 

 
 
The following Community acts are added to the acts listed in Annex 8 to the Interbus agreement:5 

Directive  2000/34/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  22  June  2000  amending 
Council Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover 
sectors and activities excluded from that Directive (Official Journal of the European Communities No 
L 195, 1/8/2000 p. 41) 

Directive  2002/15/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  11  March  2002  on  the 
organisation  of  the  working  time  of  persons  performing  mobile  road  transport  activities  (Official 
Journal of the European Communities No L 80, 23/3/2002 p. 35) 

5 

The updating of the acts takes account of the new measures adopted by the Community up to 31 March 
2003 

EN 

16 

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Draft recommendation 1/2003 

of the Joint Committee set up under the Interbus Agreement on the international 
occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus 

of….. 

concerning the use of a technical report for coaches and buses with a view to facilitating 
the monitoring of the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 

THE JOINT COMMITTEE, 

Having  regard  to  the  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional  carriage  of 
passengers by coach and bus, and in particular Articles 23 and 24 thereof, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

The  Interbus  Agreement  on  the  international  occasional  carriage  of  passengers  by 
coach  and  bus  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “the  Agreement”)  entered  into  force  on 
1 January 2003. 

In  accordance  with  Article  24(1),  the  Joint  Committee  shall  ensure  the  correct 
application  of  the  Agreement.  To  this  end,  a  recommendation  should  be  made 
advocating  the  use  of  a  technical  report  for  coaches  and  buses  with  a  view  to 
facilitating the monitoring of the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of Annex 2. 

Recommends  that  the  Member  States  and  the  countries  that  are  Contracting  Parties  to  the 
Interbus  Agreement  should  use  a  technical  report  for  coaches  and  buses  subject  to  the 
requirements  set  out  in  Articles  1  and  2  of  Annex  2  of  the  Agreement,  as  per  the 
accompanying model.  

Done at Brussels, 

The Chairman 

The Secretary 

EN 

17 

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Technical report for coaches and buses 

Vehicle make and type 

Date of first registration 

Registration number and country code 

Chassis number 

Community legislation 

UN-ECE Regulation 

Approval 
number 

Mark/indication on 
vehicle 

Speed limitation device  Directive 92/6/EEC 

Directive 2002/85/EC 

Maximum dimensions  Dir. 96/53/EC 

Directive 2002/7/EC 
Regulation. (EEC) No 3821/85  
Regulation (EC) No 2135/98  
Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 (1) 
Directive 88/77/EEC 
Directive 91/542/EEC  
Directive 96/1/EC  
Directive 1999/96/EC 
Directive 2001/27/EC 
Directive 72/306/EEC 
Directive 97/20/EC  
Directive 70/157/EEC 
Directive 84/424/EEC  
Directive 92/97/EEC 
Directive 96/20/EC 
Directive 1999/101/EC 
Directive 71/320/EEC 
Directive 88/194/EEC  
Directive 91/422/EEC 
Directive 98/12/EC 
Directive 92/23/EEC 
Directive 2001/43/EC 
Directive 76/756/EEC 
Directive 91/663/EEC  
Directive 97/28/EC 
Directive 70/221/EEC 
Directive 2000/8/EC 

Directive 71/127/EEC 
Directive 88/321/EEC 
Directive 77/541/EEC 
Directive 96/36/EC 
Directive 2000/3/EC 
Directive 76/115/EEC  
Directive 96/38/EC  
Directive 74/408/EEC 
Directive 96/37/EC  
Directive 95/28/EC 

Directive 2001/85/EC 

Tachograph 

Exhaust emissions 

Smoke 

Noise emissions 

Braking devices 

Tyres 

Lighting and light-
signalling devices 

Fuel tank 

Rear-view mirrors 

Safety belts - 
Installation 

Safety belts - 
Anchorages 
Safety belts - Seats 

Interior construction 
(prevention of the risk 
of fire spreading) 
Interior construction 
(Emergency exits, 
access, seating 
dimension, 
superstructure 
resistance, etc.) 

- 

- 

- 

49/01 
49/02, type approval A 
49/02, type approval B 

24/03 

51/02 

13/09 

54 

48/01 

34/02 
67/01 
110 
46/01 

16/04 
44/03 

14/05 

17/07 
80/01 
(Proposal for a Regulation 
TRANS/WP.29/2002/23) 

36/03 
52/01 
66 
107 

(1) 

Not applicable to Romania and Bulgaria 

EN 

18 

   EN