EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the EC the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2023)445 - Amendment of Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the EC the maximum ...
document	COM(2023)445
date	July 11, 2023

Article 1

Amendments to Directive 96/53/EC

Directive 96/53/EC is amended as follows:

(1) Article 1 is amended as follows:

(a) in paragraph 1, point (a) is replaced by the following:

‘(a) the dimensions of motor vehicles in categories M₂ and M₃ and their trailers in category O and motor vehicles in categories N₂ and N₃ and their trailers in categories O₃ and O₄, as classified in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council*;’;

(b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. All the values of weights indicated in Annex I are valid as circulation standards and thus refer to loading conditions, not production standards, which are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council**.’;

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* Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC (OJ L 151, 14.6.2018, p. 1).

** Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on type-approval requirements for motor vehicles and their trailers, and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulations (EC) No 78/2009, (EC) No 79/2009 and (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 631/2009, (EU) No 406/2010, (EU) No 672/2010, (EU) No 1003/2010, (EU) No 1005/2010, (EU) No 1008/2010, (EU) No 1009/2010, (EU) No 19/2011, (EU) No 109/2011, (EU) No 458/2011, (EU) No 65/2012, (EU) No 130/2012, (EU) No 347/2012, (EU) No 351/2012, (EU) No 1230/2012 and (EU) 2015/166 (OJ L 325, 16.12.2019, p. 1).’;

(2) Article 2 is amended as follows:

(a) in the second indent, the definition of ‘trailer’ is replaced by the following:

‘— ‘trailer’ shall mean a vehicle as defined in Article 3(17) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858,’;

(b) in the third indent, the definition of ‘semi-trailer’ is replaced by the following:

‘— ‘semi-trailer’ shall mean a vehicle as defined in Article 3(33) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858,’;

(c) the following definition is inserted after the definition of ‘vehicle combination’:

‘— ‘European Modular System’ shall mean a motor vehicle or vehicle combination coupled to one or more trailers or semitrailers where the total combination exceeds the maximum authorised length and may exceed the maximum authorised weights laid down in Annex I and where the individual motor vehicle, trailer(s) and semitrailer(s) do not exceed the weights or dimensions laid down in Annex I,’;

(d) the following definition is inserted after the definition of ‘conditioned vehicle’:

‘— ‘vehicle transporter’ shall mean a vehicle combination which is constructed or permanently adapted for carrying other vehicle(s),’;

(e) in the fourteenth indent, the definition of ‘alternatively fuelled vehicle’ is replaced by the following:

‘— ‘alternatively fuelled vehicle’ shall mean a motor vehicle powered wholly by an alternative fuel and which has been approved under the framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/858,’;

(f) in the fifteenth indent, the definition of ‘intermodal transport operation’, point (a) is replaced by the following:

‘(a) the combined transport operations defined in Article 1 of Council Directive 92/106/EEC*; or’;

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* Council Directive 92/106/EEC of 7 December 1992 on the establishment of common rules for certain types of combined transport of goods between Member States (OJ L 368, 17.12.1992, p. 38).’;

(g) the following definition is inserted after the definition of ‘shipper’:

‘— ‘eFTI Platform’ shall mean a freight transport information platform established pursuant Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council*,’;

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* Regulation (EU) 2020/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2020 on electronic freight transport information (OJ L 249, 31.7.2020, p. 33).’;

(h) the second subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘All maximum authorised dimensions specified in Annex I shall be checked against the corresponding declared values for the specific vehicle in the information document accompanying the EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval, drawn up in accordance with Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683*, with no positive tolerances.’;

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* Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683 of 15 April 2020 implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regards to the administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (OJ L 163, 26.5.2020, p. 1).’;

(3) Article 4 is amended as follows:

(a) in paragraph 1, the following point (c) is added:

‘(c) of vehicles or vehicle combinations for the international transport of goods or passengers which are not in conformity with the characteristics set out in Annex I.’;

(b) paragraph 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:

‘3. Vehicles or vehicle combinations which exceed the maximum weights and/or dimensions may only be allowed to circulate on the basis of special permits issued by the competent authorities, or on the basis of similar arrangements agreed on a case-by-case basis with those authorities, where those vehicles or vehicle combinations carry or are intended to carry indivisible loads.

Member States shall ensure that the procedure for obtaining permits or similar arrangements for the transport of indivisible loads is smooth, efficient and non-discriminatory, by minimising administrative burdens and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Member States shall guarantee that the conditions under which the permits or similar arrangements related to the transport of indivisible loads are issued are proportionate and non-discriminatory. In particular, Member States shall cooperate to avoid the multiplicity of vehicle markings and signalling, and to favour the use of pictograms over text. Member States shall not impose language requirements related to the transport of indivisible loads.

4. Member States may allow vehicles or vehicle combinations used for transport which carry out certain national transport operations that do not significantly affect international competition in the transport sector to circulate in their territory with dimensions deviating from those laid down in points 1.1, 1.2, 1.4 to 1.8, 4.2 and 4.4 of Annex I.

Transport operations shall be considered not significantly to affect international competition in the transport sector if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

(a) the transport operations are carried out in a Member State's territory by specialized vehicles or specialized vehicle combinations in circumstances in which they are not normally carried out by vehicles from other Member States, e.g. operations linked to logging and the forestry industry;

(b) the Member State which permits transport operations to be carried out in its territory by vehicles or vehicle combinations with dimensions deviating from those laid down in Annex I also permits the circulation of European Modular Systems pursuant to paragraph 4a, so as to achieve at least the loading length authorised in that Member State, and so that every operator may benefit from equal conditions of competition.

(c) the following paragraph 4a is inserted:

‘4a. Member States may allow the circulation in their territories in national and international traffic of European Modular Systems subject to all of the following conditions:

(a) the Member States shall make publicly available, in an accessible and transparent way, the information related to the maximum weights and dimensions applicable to the circulation of European Modular Systems in their territories;

(b) the Member States shall make publicly available, in an accessible and transparent way, the information related to the part of the road network where European Modular Systems can circulate;

(c) the Member States shall ensure the connectivity of the part of the network where European Modular Systems can circulate in their territories with the road network of neighbouring Member States that also allow the circulation of European Modular Systems, in order to enable cross-border traffic;

(d) the Member States shall set a monitoring system and assess the impact of European Modular Systems on road safety, on the road infrastructure, on modal cooperation, as well as the environmental impacts of European Modular Systems on the transport system, including the impacts on modal split.

Whenever a Member State allows, pursuant to this paragraph, the circulation of European Modular Systems in national traffic, it may not reject or prohibit the circulation in its territory of European Modular Systems in international traffic, provided that such systems do not exceed the maximum weights and dimensions set for European Modular Systems in national traffic.

Member States shall inform the Commission in case they allow the circulation in their territories of European Modular Systems.’;

(d) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

‘5. Member States may allow for a limited period of time trials of vehicles or vehicle combinations incorporating new technologies or new concepts which cannot comply with requirements of this Directive. Such vehicles or vehicle combinations shall be allowed to carry out certain national or international transport operations for the trial period. In particular, trials with European Modular Systems shall be allowed for a maximum of five years. The number of trials shall not be limited. Member States shall inform the Commission thereof.

Member States shall set a monitoring system and assess the impact of the trials referred to in the first subparagraph on road safety, on the road infrastructure and on modal cooperation, as well as the environmental impacts on the transport system, including the impacts on modal split.’;

(e) the following paragraph 5a is inserted:

‘5a. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 10h to supplement this Directive by determining the minimum sets of data and the performance indicators to be provided by the monitoring systems set up by the Member States as referred to in paragraphs 4a, point (d), and 5 of this Article.’;

(f) paragraph 7 is deleted;

(4) the following Articles 4a and 4b are inserted:

‘Article 4a

1. Member States shall establish and manage an electronic information and communications system with at least the following ‘one-stop-shop’ functions:

(a) a single national entry point through which the applicant shall submit its application for the special permit or similar arrangement as laid down in Article 4(3) in a standardised format;

(b) a single national access point for the applicants to obtain the information on the requirements for applying for special permits or similar arrangements as laid down in Article 4(3) and to the necessary information to plan their routes in a clear, accessible, and transparent manner;

(c) a single national access point for the operators of European Modular Systems to the information referred to in Article 4(4a), points (a) and (b), where relevant.

2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts establishing a common standard application form and harmonising the rules and procedures for the issuing of national permits or similar arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and in Article 4(3). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10i(2).

‘Article 4b

1. Whenever a Member State, pursuant to Article 4(2), point (a), allows the circulation within its territory of vehicle combinations with a maximum weight exceeding the limits set out in points 2.2.1 or 2.2.2 of Annex I, it may not reject or prohibit the use in its territory in international traffic of those vehicle combinations complying with the weight values set for the national transport of goods, provided that such vehicle combinations do not have a maximum authorised weight exceeding 44 tonnes.

2. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the 44 tonnes-weight limit set out in paragraph 1 may be exceeded in case the Member State allows higher weight values to those vehicle combinations when involved in an intermodal transport operation.

3. In view of the expected increase in the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, this Article shall apply until 31 December 2034.’;

(5) Article 6 is amended as follows:

(a) paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the vehicles referred to in Article 1 and complying with this Directive carry one of the following proofs:

(a) a combination of the following two plates:

- (i) the ‘manufacturer's statutory plate’ established and attached in accordance with Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535*,

- (ii) the plate relating to dimensions, in accordance with Annex III to this Directive, established and attached in accordance with Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535;

(b) a single plate established and attached in accordance with Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 and containing the information on the two plates referred to in point (a) of this paragraph;

(c) a single document issued by the competent authorities of the Member State in which the vehicle is registered or put into circulation. Such document shall bear the same headings and information as the plates referred to in point (a). It shall be kept in a place easily accessible to inspection and shall be adequately protected.’;

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* Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of 31 March 2021 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of vehicles, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general construction characteristics and safety (OJ L 117, 6.4.2021, p. 1).’;

(b) paragraph 5 is replaced by the following:

‘5. The middle column of the proof of compliance relating to weights shall contain, where appropriate, the Union weight standards applicable to the vehicle in question.;

(c) the following paragraph 7 is added:

‘7. For a transport operation to qualify as an intermodal transport operations for the purpose of this directive, the shipper or, if different from the shipper, the undertaking which organises the intermodal transport operation, shall ensure that the documents referred to under Articles 3 and 7 of Directive 92/106/ECC, as appropriate, are recorded and made available on an eFTI platform in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2020/1056. Such information shall be accessible to competent authorities, on the same eFTI platform where the transport information was recorded, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2020/1056.’

(6) Article 8b is amended as follows:

(a) paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:

‘1. With the aim of improving their energy efficiency, vehicles or vehicle combinations which are equipped with aerodynamic devices meeting the requirements laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3, and which comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/858, may exceed the maximum lengths provided for in point 1.1 of Annex I to this Directive, to allow the addition of such devices to the rear of vehicles or vehicle combinations. Vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with such devices shall comply with point 1.5 of Annex I to this Directive, and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the loading length of those vehicles or vehicle combinations.

2. Before being placed on the market, the aerodynamic devices referred to in paragraph 1 shall be type-approved in accordance with the rules on type-approval within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535.’;

(b) paragraph 5 is deleted;

(7) the following Article 8c is inserted:

‘Article 8c

Vehicle transporters with open bodies may exceed the maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I while loaded, up to a total of 20,75 meters, using authorised load supports.

The overhang or load support of vehicle transporters may not protrude in relation to the load. The load may protrude in front of the towing vehicle up to a maximum of 0,5 meters, provided that the first axle of the transported vehicle rests on the trailer structure. The load may protrude from behind up to a maximum of 1,5 meters, provided that the last axle of the transported vehicle rests on the trailer structure.’;

(8) Article 9a is amended as follows:

(a) paragraph 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:

‘1. Vehicles or vehicle combinations which comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/858 may exceed the maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I to this Directive provided that their cabs deliver improved aerodynamic performance, energy efficiency and safety performance. Any excess of the maximum lengths allowed under this Article may also be used to install zero-emission technology. Vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with such cabs shall comply with point 1.5 of Annex I to this Directive and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the load capacity of those vehicles.

2. Before being placed on the market, the vehicles referred to in paragraph 1 shall be approved in accordance with the rules on type-approval within the framework of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535.’;

(b) paragraph 3 is deleted;

(9) Article 10b is replaced by the following:

‘Article 10b

1. The maximum authorised weights and axle weights of alternatively fuelled or zero-emission vehicles shall be those set out in points 2.2., 2.3, 2.4, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3 of Annex I.

The additional weight required by alternatively fuelled vehicles other than zero-emission vehicles shall be defined on the basis of the documentation provided by the manufacturer when the vehicle in question is approved. That additional weight shall be indicated in the official proof required in accordance with Article 6.

The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 10h to supplement this Directive by updating the list of alternative fuels referred to in Article 2 that require additional weight. It is of particular importance that the Commission follow its usual practice and carry out consultations with experts, including Member States’ experts, before adopting those delegated acts.’.

2. The maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I for zero-emission vehicles or vehicle combinations including zero-emission vehicles may be exceeded by the additional length necessary to accommodate the zero-emission technology, with a maximum of 90 cm, to allow the addition of such devices. Such zero-emission vehicles or vehicle combinations shall comply with points 1.5 and 1.5a of Annex I to this Directive, and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the loading length of those vehicles or vehicle combinations, in order to ensure the compatibility of trailers and semi-trailers with the requirements for intermodal transport operations.

The additional length required by zero-emission vehicles shall be defined on the basis of the documentation provided by the manufacturer when the vehicle in question is approved. That additional length shall be indicated in the official proof required in accordance with Article 6.’.

(10) Article 10c is replaced by the following

(11) ‘Article 10c

(12) The maximum lengths laid down in point 1.1 of Annex I, subject where applicable to Article 9a(1) and 10b(2), and the maximum distance laid down in point 1.6 of Annex I, may be exceeded by 15 cm for vehicles or vehicle combinations engaged in the transport of 45-foot containers or 45-foot swap bodies, empty or loaded, provided that the road transport of the container or swap body in question is part of an intermodal transport operation.’;

(13) Article 10d is amended as follows:

(a) paragraphs 1 and 2 are replaced by the following:

‘1. Member States shall take specific measures to identify vehicles or vehicle combinations in circulation that are likely to have exceeded the maximum authorised weight and that should therefore be checked by their competent authorities in order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Directive. Those measures may be taken with the aid of automatic systems set up on the road infrastructure, or by means of on-board weighing equipment installed in vehicles in accordance with paragraph 4.

If a Member State chooses to set up automatic systems on the road infrastructure, it shall ensure as a minimum the deployment of such systems in the trans-European road transport network set out in Regulation (EU) 1315/2013*.

A Member State shall not require on-board weighing equipment to be installed on vehicles or vehicle combinations which are registered in another Member State.

Without prejudice to Union and national law, where automatic systems are used to establish infringements of this Directive and to impose penalties, such automatic systems shall be certified. Where automatic systems are used only for identification purposes, they need not be certified.

2. Each Member State shall carry out each calendar year at least six checks per one million vehicle-kilometres travelled by vehicles or vehicle combinations used for the transport of goods and falling within the scope of this Directive in its territory on the weights of those vehicles or vehicle combinations, irrespective of the country of registration of such vehicles or of the country where such vehicles were put into circulation. The compliance checks shall include an appropriate number of checks performed at night time.’;

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* Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network and repealing Decision No 661/2010/EU (OJ L 348, 20.12.2013, p. 1).

(b) in paragraph 5, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following:

(c) ‘5. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts, laying down detailed provisions ensuring uniform conditions for the implementation of the rules on interoperability and compatibility set out in paragraph 4.’;

(14) the following Article 10da is inserted:

‘Article 10da

1. Member States may implement Intelligent Access Policy (IAP) schemes within their territories to regulate, monitor and ease the access by heavy-duty vehicles to specific roads or areas.

For the purposes of this Article, an ‘intelligent access policy’ shall mean a technical and functional framework to manage heavy-duty vehicle access to the road network, through the use of telematics, to ensure compliance with the applicable rules on weights and dimensions.

2. When a Member State implements IAP pursuant to paragraph 1, it shall ensure that their IAP schemes comply with Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council*. In particular, Member States shall ensure that data related to the IAP scheme and falling within the scope of Directive 2010/40/EU, including weight, length, width or height restrictions, are available in digital machine-readable format and made accessible via the National Access Points established under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670**.

3. When a Member State implements IAP schemes pursuant to paragraph 1, it shall:

(a) define the criteria for granting access to heavy-duty vehicles, including but not limited to vehicle weight, length, technical specifications, and compliance with specific safety standards;

(b) favour the use of advanced intelligent transport systems to enhance safety and efficiency and reduce congestion in road transport operations affected by the IAP schemes;

(c) establish a comprehensive information and communication system to inform operators of heavy-duty vehicles about the IAP scheme requirements, application procedures, and any updates or changes to the scheme;

4. The establishment of IAP schemes by a Member State shall not give rise to discriminatory or disproportionate restrictions on the free movement of goods and services and shall not unduly impede the smooth functioning of the internal market.

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* Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other modes of transport (OJ L 207, 6.8.2010, p. 1).

** Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670 of 2 February 2022 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the provision of EU-wide real-time traffic information services (OJ L 122, 25.4.2022, p. 1).’

(15) in Article 10f(1), point (a) is replaced by the following:

‘(a) the shipper to give to the haulier to whom it entrusts the transport of a container or swap body a statement indicating the weight and the height of the container or swap body transported; and’;

(16) Article 10g is replaced by the following:

‘Article 10g

1. Every 2 years, and at the latest by 30 September of the year following the end of the 2-year period concerned, Member States shall send to the Commission the necessary information concerning:

(a) the number of checks carried out in the previous 2 calendar years;

(b) the number of overloaded vehicles or vehicle combinations detected;

(c) the number and location of automatic systems set up on the road infrastructure pursuant to Article 10d(1), and whether they are for identification purposes only or certified for direct enforcement;

(d) the implementation and effectiveness of IAP schemes set up in accordance with Article 10da,;

(e) the number of national permits issued for abnormal transport pursuant to Article 4(3) and their duration (one-off permits or long-term permits);

(f) the results of the assessments carried out pursuant to Article 4(4a), point (d), and Article 4(5).

This information shall be disaggregated per year.

2. The Commission shall analyse the information received pursuant to paragraph 1, and on the basis of the information received, present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Directive, no later than 13 months after receiving the information from all Member States. Such report shall include information on relevant developments in the fields in question.

3. The Commission, by means of implementing acts, shall establish a standard reporting form in electronic format to be used by Member States for submitting to the Commission the information referred to in paragraph 1. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10i(2).’;

(17) in Article 10h, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 4(5a) and 10b(1) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of 5 years from [PO please insert date of entry into force of this Directive]. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than 9 months before the end of the 5-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than 3 months before the end of each period.’;

(18) In Article 10i, the following paragraph 4 is inserted:

‘4. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 182/2011 shall apply.;

(19) Article 10j is deleted;

(20) the following Article 10k is inserted:

‘Article 10k

In case of a crisis, where the public interest requires it, and provided that road safety is not thereby jeopardised, Members States may grant temporary exceptions from the application of the weights and dimensions limits set out in Annex I for vehicles used in national traffic, for a period not exceeding two months.

Any such exception shall be duly reasoned and notified immediately to the Commission. The Commission shall immediately publish the information on the granted exception on its official website.

Where a crisis affects several Member States, the Commission may adopt implementing acts in order to establish temporary exceptions from the application of the weights and dimensions limits set out in Annex I for vehicles used in international traffic between affected Member States. The period of such exception may not exceed six months, and may be renewed only where the crisis persists. Such implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 10i(4).

For the purposes of this Article, a crisis means an exceptional, unexpected and sudden, natural or man-made event of extraordinary nature and scale that takes place inside or outside of the Union, with significant direct or indirect impacts on the area of road transport or the economy or welfare of the Union citizens, where the normal functioning of society is significantly disrupted, and where the public interest requires urgent action to be taken.’;

(21) Annex I is replaced by the Annex to this Directive;

(22) in Annex III, the words ‘Directive 76/114/EEC’ are replaced by the words ‘Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535’.

Article 2

Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2020/1056

In Article 2(1), point (a), of Regulation (EU) 2020/1056, the following point (vi) is inserted:

‘(vi) Article 6(7) of Council Directive 96/53/EC*;’

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* Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic (OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 59).

Article 3

Transposition

1. Member States shall adopt and publish, by [date-of-adoption+2 years] at the latest, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions. When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.

2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 4

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 5

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.