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 (Text with EEA relevance)

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 (Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 relating to the approximation of the laws of the Member States on type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers (1), as last amended by Commission Directive 95/54/EC (2), and in particular Article 13 (2) thereof,
Having regard to 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 (3), as last amended by Commission Directive 90/629/EEC (4), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Whereas Directive 76/115/EEC is one of the separate directives of the EEC type-approval procedure which has been established by Directive 70/156/EEC; whereas, consequently, the provisions laid down in Directive 70/156/EEC relating to vehicle systems, components and separate technical units apply to this Directive;
Whereas, in particular, Articles 3 (4) and 4 (3) of Directive 70/156/EEC necessitate that each separate directive has attached to it an information document 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 computerized;
Whereas it is possible to improve the protection provided for passengers against ejection in case of an accident by requiring a minimum of lap belts of type 1 with retractors for all forward and rear-facing seating positions in motor vehicles of categories M2 and M3 (except those vehicles which are designed for both urban use and standing passengers), as foreseen in Commission Directive 90/628/EEC (5);
Whereas the entry into force of an amendment to Council Directive 77/541/EEC (6), as last amended by Directive 90/628/EEC to require such seat belts in M2 and M3 vehicles is dependent upon the adaptation to technical progress of Council Directive 74/408/EEC (7), as last amended by Directive 81/577/EEC (8), on the strength of seats and this Directive on seat belt anchorages;
Whereas reference is made to Council Directive 74/60/EEC (9), as last amended by Commission Directive 78/632/EEC (10), relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles;
Whereas the provisions of this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Adaptation to Technical progress established by Directive 70/156/EEC,