CELEX: 51987PC0109
Language: en
Date: 1987-03-27
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE adapting to technical progress Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers (submitted by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (87) 109
Vol. 1987/0049
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
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In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 concerning
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In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1. Februar
1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und
der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, S. 1), zuletzt geändert durch die
Verordnung (EU) Nr. 2015/496 vom 17. März 2015 (ABI. L 79 vom 25.3.2015, S. 1), ist dieser Akt
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Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5 der genannten Verordnung freigegeben; beziehungsweise werden
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2015/444    vom   13.   März   2015   über die   Sicherheitsvorschriften für den Schutz von  EU-
Verschlusssachen als herabgestuft angesehen.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                /
                                                  COM(87 ) 109 final
                                                  Brussels , 27 March 1987
                                Proposai for a
                              COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
adapting to technical progress Directive 70 / 156 / EEC on the approximation
   of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of
                    motor vehicles and their trailers
                       ( submitted by the Commission )
C0MC87) 109 final
 ---pagebreak---                            EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM                    e oh     'i ?
                                                                                   1
GENERAL
The urgent need for a Community definition of off-road vehicles derives
from the fact that a definition of such vehicles is either lacking or
varies in the Member States . This absence of a common definition creates
both serious disadvantages for manufacturers and barriers to intra-Community
exchanges in : these vehicles . A Community definition of of f-rroad vehicles
is also required , in particular , pursuant to Directive 84 / 424 / EEC amen­
ding Directive 70 / 157 / EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member
States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of
motor vehicles , Article 1 of which lays down exceptions for these types
of vehicles , and , more generally , for the application of any other Di­
rective in the motor-vehicles sector which might need such a definition .
The Commission prepared a draft amendment to the framework Directive
( 70/ 156/ EEC ), which defines off-road vehicles within the international
categories listed in the Notes to Annex I thereof .
CONTENTS OF THE PROPOSAL
The proposed amendment concerns the inclusion in Annex I to Directive
70 / 156 / EEC of the definitions of off-road vehicles within categories M
( motor vehicles having at least four wheels , or having three wheels when
the maximum weight exceeds one metric ton , and used for the carriage of
passengers ) and N ( motor vehicles having at least four wheels , or having
three wheels when the maximum weight exceeds one metric ton , and used for
the carriage of goods ) . The principal parameters on which these defini­
tions are based are , on the one hand , the traction afforded by the axles
and hill-climbing ability and , on the other , the presence of a device
for locking the differential or a mechanism producing a similar effect
and certain requirements relating to the front and rear incidence angles ,
ramp angle and ground clearance ( beneath the front and rear axle and
between the axles ).
 ---pagebreak---                                - 2 -
III . CONSULTATION OF PARLIAMENT AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE
      The opinions of these two institutions must be requested pursuant to
      the provisions of the secod paragraph of Article 100 of the EEC
      Treaty .
IV .  LEGAL BASIS AND CONSEQUENCES FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES
      AND EMPLOYMENT
      The present Legal basis , Article 100, will be affected by entry into
      force of the Single Act when Article 100A becomes applicable .
      The cooperation procedure will then apply .
      The measures covered by this draft proposal for a Directive will not
      affect small and medium-sized enterprises and employment .
 ---pagebreak---                                      3
                                Proposai for a
                             COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
   adapting to technical progress Directive 70 / 156 / EEC on the approximation
                  of the laws of the Member States relating to
             the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community , and
in particular , Article 100 thereof .
Having regard to Council Directive 70 / 156 / EEC on the approximation of the laws
of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their
         1
trailers , as last amended by Directive 80 / 1267 / EEC ,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament 3 ,
                                                                     4
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
Whereas it is now necessary to define off-road vehicles at Community level
with a view in particular to the application of Council Directive 84 / 424 / EEC ,
Article 1 of which lays down exceptions for these vehicles and more generally
for the application of any other directive in the motor vehicle sector that
might need such definition ;
Whereas off-road vehicles are defined differently in each Member State and
whereas , in order not to hinder intra-Community trade , a common definition ,
within the international categories set out in the Notes to Annex I to Council
Directive 70/ 156/ EEC 4 as last amended by the Act of Accession of Spain and
Portugal , is necessary ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE :
                                       Article 1
Annex I to Directive 70 / 156 / EEC is hereby amended as set out in the Annex hereto
1
2
30J No L 238, 6.9.1984, p. 31 .
40J No L 42 , 23.2.1970, p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak--- Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with this Directive
before 1 October 1987 and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof .
                            Article 3
This Directive is addressed to the Member States .
Done at Brussels ,
 ---pagebreak---                                  V
                                                                          ANNEX
In the notes , the following is added at the end of ( b) :
"4.   Vehicles in categories M and N above considered to be off-road vehicles
      under the load and checking conditions set out in point 4.4 and pursuant
      to the definitions and sketches of point 4.5 .
 4.1 Motor vehicles in category M^ and vehicles in category       with a maximum
      mass not exceeding 2 tonnes are considered to be off-road vehicles if they
      have :
      at least one front axle and at least one rear axle designed to be driven
      simultaneously ( for example when the drive to one axle can be disengaged ),
      at least one system for locking the differential or at least one mechanism
      having a similar effect and
      if they can climb a 30% gradient calculated for a solo vehicle .
      In addition , they must satisfy at least five of the following six require­
      ments  :
      - the  front incidence angle must be at least 25° ,
      - the  rear incidence angle must be at least 20° ,
      - the  ramp angle must be at least 20° ,
      - the  ground clearance under the front axle must be at least 180 mm ,
      - the  ground clearance under the rear axle must be at least 180 mm ,
      - the  ground clearance between the axles must be at least 200 mm .
 4.2 Motor vehicles in category      with a maximum mass exceeding 2 tonnes or
      in category N^, M^ or M^ with a maximum mass not exceeding 12 tonnes are
      considered to be off-road vehicles if all their wheels are designed to be
      driven , if the drive to one axle can be disengaged , or if the following
      three requirements are satisfied :
      - at least one front axle and at least one rear axle is designed to be
        driven simultaneously , and the drive to one axle can be disengaged ;
 ---pagebreak---                                      c
      - there is at least one system for locking the differential or at least
        one mechanism having a similar effect ,
      - they can climb a 25% gradient calculated for a solo vehicle .
4.3   Motor vehicles in category M^ with a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes or
      in category      are considered to be off-road vehicles if all the wheels
      are designed to be driven, if the drive to one axle can be disengaged,
      or if the following requirements are satisfied :
      - at least half the wheels are driven ,
      - there is at least one system for locking the differential or at least
        one mechanism having a similar effect ,
      - they can climb a 25% gradient calculated for a solo vehicle ,
      - at least four of the following six requirements are satisfied :
        . the front incidence angle must be at least 25° ;
        . the rear incidence angle must be at least 25° ;
        . the ramp angle must be at least 25° ;
        . the ground clearance under the front axle must be at least 250 mm;
        . the ground clearance between the axles must be at least 300 mm ;
        . the ground clearance under the rear axle must be at least 250 mm .
4.4   Load and checking conditions
4.4.1 Motor venicles in categories M^ and      with a maximum mass not exceeding
      2 tonnes must be in running order , namely with coolant fluid , lubricants ,
      fuel , tools , spare-wheel and a driver considered to weigh a standard 75 kg
 ---pagebreak---                                        ?
4.4.2 Motor vehicles not in categories M^ or      with a maximum mass not exceeding
      2 tonnes must be loaded to the technically permissible maximum mass stated
      by the manufacturer .
4.4.3 The ability to climb the required gradients ( 25% and 30% ) is verified
      by simple calculation . In exceptional cases , however , the technical depart­
      ment may ask for a vehicle of the type concerned to be submitted to it
      for an actual test .
4.4.4 When measuring front and rear incidence angles and ramp angles , no account
      is taken of underrun protective devices .
4.5   Definitions and sketches of front and rear incidence angles , ramp angle
      and ground clearance
4.5.1 " Front incidence angle " means the maximum angle between the ground plane
      and planes tangential to the tyres of the front wheels , under a static
      load , such that no point of the vehicle ahead of the front axle is situated
      below these planes and no rigid part of the vehicle , with the exception
      of any steps , is situated below these planes .
 ---pagebreak--- 4.5.2 " Rear incidence angle" means the maximum angle between the ground
      plane and planes tangential to the tyres of the rear wheels , under a
      static load, such that no point of the vehicle behind the rearmost
      axle is situated below these planes and no rigid part of the vehicle
      is situated below these planes .
4.5.3 " Ramp angle" means the minimum acute angle between two planes , per­
      pendicular to the median longitudinal plane of the vehicle , tangen­
      tial to the tyres of the front wheels and to the tyres of the rear
      wheels respectively , under a static load , the intersection of which
      touches the underside of the vehicle apart from the wheels . This
      angle defines the steepest ramp over which the vehicle can pass .
4.5.4 " Ground clearance between the axles " means the shortest distance
      between the ground plane and the lowest fixed point of the vehicle .
      Multi-axle bodies are considered to be a single axle .
 ---pagebreak---                               9
" Ground clearance beneath one axle " means the distance beneath the
highest point of the arc of a circle passing through the centre of
the tyre footprint of the wheels on one axle ( the inner wheels in
the case of twin tyres ) and touching the lowest point of the vehicle
between the wheels . No part of the vehicle may project into the
shaded area of the diagram . Where appropriate , the ground clearance
of several axles is indicated in accordance with their arrangement ,
for example 280 / 250 / 250 .
 ---pagebreak---                FICHE D' IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L' EMPLOI
Projet de proposition de directive du Conseil modifiant la Directive
70/ 156/CEE concernant le rapprochement des législations des Etats membres
relatives à la réception des véhicules à moteur et de leurs remorques .
  I. Quelle est la justification principale de la mesure ?
      Elimination des entraves techniques aux échanges intracommunautaires
 II . Caractéristiques des entreprises concernées
      En particulier :
      - y-a-t- il un grand nombre de PME ? Non
      - note t' on des concentrations dans des régions :
         . éligibles aux aides régionales des E.M. ?    Non
         . éligibles au Feder ? Non
III . Quelles sont les obligations imposées aux entreprises ?
      Aucune obligation supplémentaire
 IV . Quelles sont les obligations susceptibles d' être imposées
      indirectement aux entreprises via les autorités locales ?
      Aucune
  V. Y-a-t -il des mesures spéciales pour les PME ? Non
      - lesquelles ?
 VI . Quel est l' effet prévisible :
      - sur la compétitivité des entreprises ? Pas quantifiable
      - sur l' emploi ? Pas quantifiable
VII . Les partenaires sociaux ont-ils été consultés ? Non
      - Avis des partenaires sociaux :