Commission Directive 2006/26/EC of  2 March 2006  amending, for the purposes of their adaptation to technical progress, Council Directives 74/151/EEC, 77/311/EEC, 78/933/EEC and 89/173/EEC relating to wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors   (Text with EEA relevance)

7.3.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 65/22
COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2006/26/EC
of 2 March 2006
amending, for the purposes of their adaptation to technical progress, Council Directives 74/151/EEC, 77/311/EEC, 78/933/EEC and 89/173/EEC relating to wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to 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 and repealing Directive 74/150/EEC (1), and in particular Article 19(1) thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 74/151/EEC of 4 March 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to certain parts and characteristics of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (2), and in particular Article 4 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 77/311/EEC of 29 March 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (3), and in particular Article 5 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 78/933/EEC of 17 October 1978 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the installation of lighting and lighting-signalling devices on wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (4), and in particular Article 5 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 89/173/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to certain components and characteristics of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors (5), and in particular Article 9 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The requirements introduced by Directive 74/151/EEC for the maximum permissible laden mass and axle load for wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors need to be adapted for modern tractors, taking into account the enhancements in tractor technology with regard to the increase of productivity as well as occupational safety.
(2) In order to facilitate the global operation of Community industry, it is necessary to align Community technical regulations and standards with the corresponding global technical regulations and standards. In relation to the maximum limits laid down in Directive 77/311/EEC for the driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors, the test speed established in Annexes I and II to that Directive should therefore be harmonised with the test speed required in global technical regulations or standards such as OECD Code 5 and ISO 5131:1996 (6).
(3) It is appropriate to adapt the requirements introduced by Directive 78/933/EEC relating to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on wheeled agricultural and forestry tractors, so as to meet present needs for simpler design and better illumination.
(4) The requirements laid down in Directive 89/173/EEC relating to glazing and coupling of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors should be brought into line with recent technological developments. In particular, polycarbonate/plastic glazing should be permitted for non-windscreen applications to enhance the protection of the occupants in the event of objects penetrating the driver cab area. The requirements concerning mechanical couplings should be aligned with the standard ISO 6489-1. Furthermore, with a view to reducing the number and severity of accidents and to enhancing occupational safety, it is appropriate not only to make additional provision as regards hot surfaces, but also to lay down measures concerning battery terminal covers, as well as measures designed to prevent unintentional uncoupling.
(5) Directives 74/151/EEC, 77/311/EEC, 78/933/EEC and 89/173/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established under Article 20(1) of Directive 2003/37/EC,