Council Directive 88/218/EEC of 11 April 1988 amending Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE
of 11 April 1988
amending Directive 85/3/EEC on the weights, dimensions and certain other technical characteristics of certain road vehicles
(88/218/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 75 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Directive 85/3/EEC (4) requires a maximum authorized width of 2 500 mm for all vehicles;
Whereas the transport of goods under temperature-controlled conditions requires the use of special vehicles which are equipped with insulated walls;
Whereas extra internal space is required for air circulation and to ensure that the load is prevented from touching the walls; whereas, in the present state of insulation technology, insulated walls should be at least 45 mm thick; whereas it is therefore impossible to use efficiently standard pallets with dimensions of 1 200 Ă 800 mm and also to comply with a maximum authorized width of 2 500 mm;
Whereas therefore the maximum permitted width of 2 500 mm as laid down in Directive 85/3/EEC should be increased for the category of 'refrigerated vehicles' only,