Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2003)635 - Position of the EC on the draft Regulation of the UNECE on uniform prescriptions concerning the type approval of tyres with respect to tyre rolling noise

Please note

This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.

1. GENERAL

By Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997, the European Community became a Contracting Party to the 1958 Revised Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). That Decision took effect on 24 March 1998.

Article 4 of that Decision stipulates, inter alia, that where a draft Regulation of the UN/ECE is submitted to a vote within the appropriate UN/ECE bodies, the draft in question must be approved by the Council, after obtaining assent from the European Parliament, before the Community can declare itself in favour of adopting the draft.

The agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the UN/ECE includes, in particular, a vote on a (new) draft Regulation on uniform prescriptions concerning the type approval of tyres with respect to tyre rolling noise.

The main purpose of the Regulation is to establish harmonised technical prescriptions, thereby avoiding the creation of technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties, while ensuring a high level of safety and environmental protection.

It should be stressed that the EC's position at the time of the vote will be based on documents available in the official languages of the UN/ECE (French and English). As the EC has become party to the 1958 UN/ECE agreement, it is required to observe the procedures provided for in that agreement.

In conformity with the provisions of Article 4(5) of Decision 97/836/EC, the Regulation will be published in all the official languages of the Communities in the Official Journal of the European Union before coming into force.

2. CONTENT OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

The purpose of the proposal is to enable the Commission representative to vote on the draft Regulation on behalf of the Community at a forthcoming meeting of the UN/ECE World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations.