Council Directive 89/458/EEC of 18 July 1989 amending with regard to European emission standards for cars below 1,4 litres, Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 18 July 1989 amending with regard to European emission standards for cars below 1,4 litres, Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by  emissions from motor vehicles (89/458/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 a thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas it is important to adopt measures with the aim of progressively establishing the internal market over a period expiring on 31 December 1992; whereas the internal market shall comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement  of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured;
Whereas the first programme of action of the European Communities on the protection of the environment, approved by the Council on 22 November 1973, called for account to be taken of the latest scientific advances in combating atmospheric pollution  caused by gases emitted from motor vehicles and for Directives adopted previously to be amended accordingly;
Whereas the third programme of action provides for additional efforts to be made to reduce considerably the present level of emissions of pollutants from motor vehicles;
Whereas Directive 70/220/EEC (4) as last amended by Directive 88/436/EEC (5) lays down the limit values for carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions from such engines; whereas these limit values were first reduced by Directive 74/290/EEC (6)  and supplemented, in accordance with Directive 77/102/EEC (7), by limit values for permissible emissions of nitrogen oxides; whereas the limit values for these three pollutants were successively reduced by Directives 78/665/EEC (8), 83/351/EEC (9) and  88/76/EEC (10) and limit values for particulate pollutant emissions from diesel engines introduced by Directive 88/436/EEC;
Whereas the work undertaken by the Commission in that sphere has shown that the Community has available, or is currently perfecting, technologies which allow a further reduction of the limit values in question for all engine sizes;
Whereas a particular effort should be made to promote clean technologies as regards motor vehicles in the context of the research programme for the development of new technologies;
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Whereas in order to allow the European environment to benefit to the maximum from these provisions and at the same time ensure the unity of the market, it appears necessary to implement more stringent European standards based on total harmonization  which are at least as severe as those in the United States of America and as those voted by the European Parliament; whereas these limit values are based on the current test procedures, laid down in Directive 70/220/EEC, and will need to be reconsidered  when supplemented by a test representing driving conditions in extra-urban areas;
Whereas in view of the major role played by pollutant emissions from motor vehicles and their contribution to the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, their emissions of CO2 in particular must be stabilized and subsequently reduced in line with  the decision of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council of 24 May 1989, and in particular point 11 (d) thereof,