Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the installation, location, operation and identification of the controls of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
Date: 2010-12-08
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EC conformity marking, agricultural vehicle, approximation of laws, signalling device, tractor, vehicle parts

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 8.12.2010 
COM(2010) 717 final 

2010/0348 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the installation, location, operation and identification of the controls of wheeled 
agricultural or forestry tractors 

(Codification) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

In  the  context  of  a  people’s  Europe,  the  Commission  attaches  great  importance  to 
simplifying  and  clarifying  the  law  of  the  Union  so  as  to  make  it  clearer  and  more 
accessible to the citizens, thus giving them new opportunities and the chance to make 
use of the specific rights it gives them. 

This aim cannot be achieved so long as numerous provisions that have been amended 
several times, often quite substantially, remain scattered, so that they must be sought 
partly  in  the  original  instrument  and  partly  in  later  amending  ones.  Considerable 
research work, comparing many different instruments, is thus needed to identify the 
current rules. 

For  this  reason  a  codification  of  rules  that  have  frequently  been  amended  is  also 
essential if the law is to be clear and transparent. 

On 1 April 1987 the Commission decided1 to instruct its staff that all acts should be 
codified  after  no  more  than  ten  amendments,  stressing  that  this  is  a  minimum 
requirement  and  that  departments  should  endeavour  to  codify  at  even  shorter 
intervals the texts for which they are responsible, to ensure that their provisions are 
clear and readily understandable. 

The  Conclusions  of 
the  Edinburgh  European  Council 
(December 1992) confirmed this2, stressing the importance of codification as it offers 
certainty as to the law applicable to a given matter at a given time. 

the  Presidency  of 

Codification  must  be  undertaken  in  full  compliance  with  the  normal  procedure  for 
the adoption of acts of the Union. 

Given  that  no  changes  of  substance  may  be  made  to  the  instruments  affected  by 
codification, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have agreed, 
by  an  interinstitutional  agreement  dated  20  December  1994,  that  an  accelerated 
procedure may be used for the fast-track adoption of codification instruments. 

is 

this  proposal 

to  undertake  a  codification  of  Council 
The  purpose  of 
Directive 86/415/EEC  of  24  July  1986  on  the  installation,  location,  operation  and 
identification  of  the  controls  of  wheeled  agricultural  or  forestry  tractors3.  The  new 
Directive  will  supersede  the  various  acts  incorporated  in  it4;  this  proposal  fully 
preserves the content of the acts being codified and hence does no more than bring 
them together with only such formal amendments as are required by the codification 
exercise itself. 

The codification proposal was drawn up on the basis of a preliminary consolidation, 
in 22 official languages, of Directive 86/415/EEC and the instruments amending it, 
carried  out  by  the  Publications  Office  of  the  European  Union,  by  means  of  a  data-

COM(87) 868 PV. 
See Annex 3 to Part A of the Conclusions. 
Carried out pursuant to the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the 
Council – Codification of the Acquis communautaire, COM(2001) 645 final. 
See Annex VI, Part A, of this proposal. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1 
2 
3 

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processing system. Where the Articles have been given new numbers, the correlation 
between the old and the new numbers is shown in a table contained in Annex VII to 
the codified Directive. 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC (adapted) 

2010/0348 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

on the installation, location, operation and identification of the controls of wheeled 
agricultural or forestry tractors 

(Codification) 
(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article ⌦ 114 ⌫ thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee5, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

Council Directive 86/415/EEC of 24 July 1986 on the installation, location, operation 
and identification of the controls of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors6 has been 
substantially amended several times7. In the interests of clarity and rationality, the said 
Directive should be codified. 

(cid:208)  

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC recital 1 (adapted) 

(2)  ⌦ Directive  86/415/EEC  is  one  of  the  separate  Directives  of  the  EC  type-approval 
replaced  by 
system  provided 
Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 
on type-approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable 
towed machinery, together with their systems, components and separate technical units 

in  Council  Directive  74/150/EEC,  as 

for 

5 
6 
7 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 
OJ L 240, 26.8.1986, p. 1. 
See Annex VI, Part A. 

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lays  down 

and  repealing  Directive 74/150/EEC8,  and 
technical  prescriptions 
concerning  the  installation,  location,  operation  and  identification  of  controls.  Those 
technical prescriptions concern the approximation of the laws of the Member States to 
enable  the  EC  type-approval  procedure  provided  for  in  Directive  2003/37/EC  to  be 
applied in respect of each type of tractor. Consequently, the provisions laid down in 
Directive 2003/37/EC  relating  to  agricultural  and  forestry  tractors,  their  trailers  and 
interchangeable  towed  machinery,  together  with  their  systems,  components  and 
separate technical units, apply to this Directive. ⌫ 

(3) 

This  Directive  should  be  without  prejudice  to  the  obligations  of  the  Member  States 
relating  to  the  time-limits  for  transposition  into  national  law  and  application  of  the 
Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B, 

(cid:208)  

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC (adapted) 
(cid:206)1 97/54/EC Art. 1 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

Article 1 

1.  ‘Agricultural  or  forestry  tractors’  means  any  motor  vehicle  fitted  with  wheels  or  endless 
tracks  ⌦ and ⌫  having  at  least  two  axles,  the  main  function  of  which  lies  in  its  tractive 
power and which is specially designed to tow, push, carry or power certain tools, machinery 
or  trailers  intended  for  agricultural  or  forestry  use.  It  may  be  equipped  to  carry  a  load  or 
passengers. 

2. This Directive shall apply only to the tractors defined in paragraph 1 which are fitted with 
pneumatic tyres and have a maximum design speed of between 6 and (cid:206)1 40 km/h . 

Article 2 

Member States may not refuse to grant EC type-approval or national type-approval in respect 
of  a  tractor  or  refuse ⌦ its  registration ⌫  or  prohibit  its  sale,  entry  into  service  or  use  on 
grounds  relating  to  the  installation,  location,  operation  and  identification  of  controls  if  the 
latter satisfy the requirements set out in Annexes I to IV. 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

Article 3 

This Directive shall not affect the right of Member States to specify, with due observance of 
the Treaty, the requirements they deem necessary to ensure that workers are protected when 

8 

OJ L 171, 9.7.2003, p. 1. 

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using the tractors in question, provided this does not mean that the tractors are modified in a 
way unspecified in this Directive. 

Article 4 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC (adapted) 

Any amendments necessary to adapt Annexes I to V to technical progress shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure ⌦ referred to ⌫ in Article 20(3) of Directive 2003/37/EC. 

Member States shall ⌦ communicate to the Commission ⌫ the text of the main provisions 
of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive . 

Article 5 

(cid:208)  

Article 6 

Directive 86/415/EEC, as amended by the Directives listed in Annex VI, Part A, is repealed, 
without  prejudice  to  the  obligations  of  the  Member  States  relating  to  the  time-limits  for 
transposition into national law and application of the Directives set out in Annex VI, Part B. 

References  to  the  repealed  Directive  shall  be  construed  as  references  to  this  Directive  and 
shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex VII. 

This Directive shall enter into force on 1 May 2011. 

Article 7 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

Article 8 

This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at […], 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC (adapted) 

ANNEX I 

DEFINITIONS, APPLICATION FOR ECTYPE-APPROVAL, EC TYPE-APPROVAL 

1. 

DEFINITIONS 

1.1. 

Tractor type 

‘Tractor  type  as  regards  the  installation,  location,  operation  and  identification  of 
controls’  means  tractors  which  do  not  differ  in  such  essential  respects  as  regards 
those internal fittings which may affect the location and identification of controls. 

1.2. 

Control 

‘Control’  means  any  part  which,  when  directly  actuated,  enables  the  state  or 
functioning of the tractor or of any equipment coupled to it to be changed. 

2. 

APPLICATION FOR EC TYPE-APPROVAL 

2.1. 

2.2. 

2.3. 

The application for type-approval of a tractor type, ⌦ as regards ⌫ the installation, 
location,  operation  and  identification  of  controls,  must  be  submitted  by  the  tractor 
manufacturer or by his authorised representative. 

The  application  must  be  accompanied  by  three  copies  of  a  description  (photos  or 
drawings) of the tractor parts covered by the requirements of this Directive. 

A tractor representative of the type to be approved or such part or parts of the tractor 
as  are  considered  to  be  essential  for  carrying  out  the  checks  laid  down  in  this 
Directive must  be  submitted  to the technical service  responsible  for conducting the 
type-approval test. 

3. 

EC TYPE-APPROVAL 

A  certificate  conforming  to  the  model  in  Annex  V  should  be  attached  to  the 
EECtype-approval certificate. 

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ANNEX II 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 

1. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 

1.1. 

1.2. 

1.3. 

1.4. 

The  controls  must  be  easily  accessible  and  must  not  constitute  a  danger  to  the 
operator, who must be able to actuate them without difficulty or risk; they must be so 
designed  and  laid  out,  or  protected,  as  to  preclude  any  inadvertent  switching 
operation  or  any  unintentional  triggering  of  a  movement  or  any  other  operation 
which might be dangerous. 

For  identification  of  the  controls  by  means  of  symbols,  the  symbols  used  must 
conform to those shown in Annex III. 

Symbols  other  than  those  shown  in  Annex  III  may  be  used  for  other  purposes, 
provided that there is no danger of confusion with those shown in that Annex. 

Symbols  are  deemed  to  conform  if  the  proportionality  of  the  dimensions  shown  in 
Annex IV is respected. 

1.5. 

The symbols must appear on or in the immediate proximity of the controls. 

1.6. 

The symbols must stand out clearly against the background. 

1.7. 

The controls must satisfy whatever particular requirements, insofar as they apply, are 
set out in section 2 as regards the installation, location, operation and identification 
of  controls.  Other  arrangements  are  permitted,  should  a  manufacturer  provide 
evidence that they have an effect at least equivalent to the requirements specified in 
this Directive. 

2. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

2.1. 

Starter control 

It must not be possible to start the engine if there is a risk that this might cause an 
uncontrolled movement of the tractor. 

This requirement is deemed to be fulfilled if the engine cannot be started unless: 

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– 

– 

– 

the gear change lever is in neutral position or in neutral gear, or 

the gear ratio selection lever is in neutral position or in neutral gear, or 

the clutch mechanism is disengaged, or 

the hydrostatic device is in neutral position or depressurised, or 

where  hydraulic  transmission  is  fitted,  the  engagement  device  reverts 
automatically to a neutral position. 

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2.2. 

Engine shut-off control 

Actuating this device must stop the engine without sustained manual effort; it must 
not be possible for the engine to start again automatically. 

Should the engine shut-off control not be combined with the starter control, it must 
be of a colour contrasting clearly with the background and the other controls. If the 
shut-off control is a button, it must be coloured red. 

2.3. 

Differential lock control 

Identification  of  the  control,  where  fitted,  is  mandatory.  The  functioning  of  the 
differential lock must be clearly indicated, if this is not apparent from the position of 
the control. 

2.4. 

Three-point lifting mechanism control 

2.4.1.  Either the three-point lifting mechanism controls must be fitted in such a way as to 
ensure  that  lifting  and  lowering  manœuvres  can  be  carried  out  safely,  and/or 
automatic  coupling  parts  should  be  fitted  on  the  attachment  devices  of  the  lifting 
equipment so that the presence of an operator between the tractor and the equipment 
is not required. The presence of such a control, where fitted, must be indicated. 

2.4.2.  The  safety  requirements  for  the  lifting  and  lowering  of  the  tools  being  carried  are 

deemed to be fulfilled where the following conditions are met: 

2.4.2.1.  Main controls 

The main controls and any linkage are arranged or protected in such a way that the 
operator is unable to reach them if he is standing on the ground between the tractor 
and the mounted implement, or external controls must be fitted; 

2.4.2.2.  External controls 

2.4.2.2.1. 

The controls must be laid out in such a way that the operator can actuate them 
from a non-dangerous spot, for instance where the three-point hydraulic lift controls 
or  the  additional  controls  for  the  lifting  mechanism  are  located  outside  the  vertical 
planes formed by the internal walls of the mudguards, 

and 

2.4.2.2.2. 

The  three-point  hydraulic  lifting  mechanism  is  actuated  by  means  of  controls 
which restrict the amount of movement to a maximum of 100 millimetres each time 
the  control  is  actuated.  The  measurement  points  in  this  case  are  formed  by  the 
coupling points on the lower arms of the three-point coupling, 

or 

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(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and 
Annex III pt. 1(a) 

2.4.2.2.3. 

The  three-point  hydraulic  lifting  mechanism  is  actuated  by  means  of  controls 

which operate on the ‘hold-to-run principle’; 

2.4.2.3.  Narrow tractors 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

In  the  case  of  tractors  with  one  driven  axle  having  a  fixed  or  adjustable  minimum 
track not exceeding 1 150 millimetres, the main controls must be located in front of 
the vertical plane passing through the seat reference point, the seat being in a central 
position; 

2.4.2.4.  Other  arrangements  are  permitted  if  the  manufacturer  provides  evidence  that  they 
have  an  effect  at  least  equivalent  to  the  requirements  set  out  in  points  2.4.2.1., 
2.4.2.2. and 2.4.2.3. 

(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and 
Annex III pt. 1(b) 

2.5. 

Power Take-Off (PTO) control(s) 

2.5.1. 

It shall not be possible to start the engine with the PTO engaged. 

2.5.2.  External controls 

2.5.2.1.  The controls must be laid out in such a way that the operator can actuate them from a 

safe place. 

2.5.2.2.  The control(s) shall be designed in a way which avoids unintentional actuation. 

2.5.2.3.  The start control shall work according to the ‘hold-to-run principle’ for at least the 

first three seconds of actuation. 

2.5.2.4.  After  actuating  the  control(s)  the  time  delay  to  the  intended  operation  shall  not  be 
more than the time for the technical engage/disengage system to operate. If this delay 
time is exceeded, an automatic deactivation of the PTO drive shall occur. 

2.5.2.5.  It shall always be possible to shut off the PTO(s) from the operator's seat position as 
well  as  from  the  associated  external  control(s).  The  shut  off  is  always  an  override 
control. 

2.5.2.6.  Interaction  between  external  PTO  control  and  operator’s  seat  position  PTO  control 

shall not be permitted. 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

ANNEX III 

SYMBOLS 

1. Starter control 

ISO 3767-1:1998, symbol 8.18 may be used as alternative. 

(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and 
Annex III pt. 2 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

2. Engine speed control 

Signification: continuous rotary variation 

continuous linear variation 

3. Engine shut-off control 

(Spark ignition engine and compression ignition engine) 

ISO 3767-1:1998, symbol 8.19 may be used as alternative. 

(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and Annex 
III pt. 2 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

4. Parking brake control 

5. Differential lock control 

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6. Power take-off clutch control 

Signification: ‘on’ position 

‘off’ position 

ISO 3767-2:1991, symbol 7.11 combined with ISO 3767-1:1998, symbol 7.1 to 7.5 may be 
used as alternative. 

(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and Annex 
III pt. 2 

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7. Power take-off actuator and/or rotational-speed selector 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

Signification: unit disengaged and not actuated 

Signification: unit actuated but not engaged 

unit engaged and actuated 

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(cid:208) 2010/22/EU Art. 3 and Annex 
III pt. 2 

ISO 3767-2:1991, symbol 7.12 PTO display combined with ISO 3767-1:1991, symbol 7.1 to 
7.5 may be used as alternative. 

(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

NB: 

These  symbols  relate  to  the  actuator  and  rotational-speed  selector  of  a  two-speed 
power take-off. In Symbol No 1 the selector is shown in neutral and disengaged; in 
Symbol  No  2  the  power  take-off  is  seen  to  be  set  to  rotate  at  1 000  rpm,  but  not 
engaged,  and  in  Symbol  No  3  it  is  engaged  and  actuated  at  the  rotational  speed  of 
1 000 rpm. 

8. Lifting mechanism control 

Signification: raised position 

lowered position 

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9. Switch for remote control of external services 

Signification: ‘on’ position 

‘off’ position 

10. Dipped-beam headlamps control 

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11. Direction-indicator lamp control 

12. Hazard-warning control 

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13. Master lighting switch 

14. Front position (side) lamps control 

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15. Main-beam headlamps control 

16. Front fog lamp control 

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17. Rear fog lamp(s) control 

18. Parking lamp(s) control 

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19. Working light control 

20. Windscreen wiper control 

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21. Audible warning device control 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC 

ANNEX IV 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASIC MODEL FOR THE SYMBOLS SHOWN IN 
ANNEX III 

Figure 1 

Basic model 

The basic model consists of: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

a basic square measuring 50 × 50 mm, the dimension (a) being equal to the nominal 
dimension (a) of the original; 

a basic circle, 56 mm in diameter, having approximately the same surface area as the 
basic square (1); 

a second circle, 50 mm in diameter, inscribed within the basic square (1); 

a  second  square  whose  right  angles  are  situated  on  the  basic  circle  (2)  and  whose 
sides are parallel to the sides of the basic square (1); 

5. and 6. two rectangles having the same surface area as the basic square (1); their respective 
sides are perpendicular and each of them is constructed in such a way as to intersect 
the opposite sides of the basic square at symmetrical points; 

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7. 

8. 

a  third  square  whose  sides  pass  through  the  points  of  intersection  of  the  basic 
square (1) and of the basic circle (2) and are inclined at an angle of 45°, thus giving 
the largest horizontal and vertical dimensions of the basic model; 

an irregular octagon formed by lines inclined at an angle of 30° to the sides of the 
square (7). 

The  basic  model  is  situated  on  a  12,5  mm  gauge  grid  which  coincides  with  the  basic 
square (1). 

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(cid:208) 86/415/EEC (adapted) 

ANNEX V 

MODEL 

Maximum format: DIN A4 (210 × 297 mm) 

Name of 
administration 

ANNEX TO THE EC TYPE-APPROVAL CERTIFICATE FOR A TRACTOR TYPE ⌦ AS 
REGARDS ⌫ THE INSTALLATION, LOCATION, OPERATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF 
CONTROLS 

(Article 4 of Directive 2003/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on type-
approval of agricultural or forestry tractors, their trailers and interchangeable towed machinery, together with 
their systems, components and separate technical units) 

EC type-approval No ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 

4.  Where applicable, name and address of manufacturer’s authorised representative ………………………. 

5.  Brief description of the tractor type ⌦ as regards ⌫ the installation, location, operation and identification 

of controls ……………………………………………………..………….. 

6.  Date tractor submitted for ⌦ EC ⌫ type-approval …………………………………………………… 

14.  The  following  drawings,  bearing  the  above-mentioned  type-approval  number,  are  attached  to  this 

communication: 
A  set  of  drawings  of  the  controls  and  of  the  tractor  components  regarded  as  relevant  for  the  purposes  of 
Directive  […] of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on the installation, location, operation 
and 
tractors.
These  drawings  will  be  supplied  to  the  competent  authorities  of  the  other  Member  States  at  their  express 
request. 

of  wheeled 

identification 

agricultural 

controls 

forestry 

the 

of 

or 

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(cid:207) 

ANNEX VI 

Part A 

Repealed Directive with list of its successive amendments 
(referred to in Article 6) 

Council Directive 86/415/EEC 
(OJ L 240, 26.8.1986, p. 1) 

Directive 97/54/EC of the European Parliament and 
of the Council 
(OJ L 277, 10.10.1997, p. 24) 

Only as regards the reference to 
Directive 86/415/EEC in the first 
indent of Article 1 

Commission Directive 2010/22/EU 
(OJ L 91,10.4.2010, p. 1) 

Only Article 3 and Annex III 

Part B 

List of time-limits for transposition into national law and application 
(referred to in Article 6) 

Directive 

Time-limit for transposition 

Date of application 

86/415/EEC 

97/54/EC 

2010/22/EU 

1 October 1987 

- 

22 September 1998 

23 September 1998 

30 April 2011 

1 May 2011 

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ANNEX VII 

CORRELATION TABLE 

Directive 86/415/EEC 

This Directive 

Articles 1 to 4 

Article 5(1) 

Article 5(2) 

- 

- 

Article 6 

Annexes I to V 

- 

- 

Articles 1 to 4 

- 

Article 5 

Article 6 

Article 7 

Article 8 

Annexes I to V 

Annex VI 

Annex VII 

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