Council Directive of 17 September 1974 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the external projections of motor vehicles (74/483/EEC) (repealed) (c. 483)

ANNEX I U.K. GENREAL DEFINITIONS, APPLICATIONS FOR EEC TYPE-APPROVAL, EEC TYPE-APPROVAL, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS, PARTICULAR SPECIFICATIONS, CONFORMITY OF PRODUCTION(1)

6. PARTICULAR SPECIFICATIONS U.K.

6.1. Ornaments U.K.

6.1.1. Added ornaments which project more than 10 mm from their support shall retract, become detached or bend over under a force of 10 daN exerted at their most salient point in any direction in a plane approximately parallel to the surface on which they are mounted. These provisions shall not apply to ornaments on radiator grilles, to which only the general requirements of item 5 shall apply.[F1 To apply the 10 daN force a flat-ended ram of not more than 50 mm diameter shall be used. Where this is not possible, an equivalent method shall be used. After the ornaments are retracted, detached or bent over, the remaining projections shall not project more than 10 mm. These projections shall in any case satisfy the provisions of item 5.2. If the ornament is mounted on a base, this base is regarded as belonging to the ornament and not to the supporting surface.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Inserted by Commission Directive of 18 April 1979 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 74/483/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the external projections of motor vehicles (79/488/EEC).

6.1.2. Protective strips or shielding on the external surface shall not be subject to the requirements of item 6.1.1 above. However, they shall be firmly secured to the vehicle. U.K.

F2 6.1.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2 Deleted by Commission Directive of 18 April 1979 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 74/483/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the external projections of motor vehicles (79/488/EEC).

6.2. Headlights U.K.

6.2.1. Projecting visors and rims shall be permitted on headlights, provided that their projection, as measured in relation to the external transparent surface of the headlight does not exceed 30 mm and their radius of curvature is at least 2·5 mm throughout.[F1 In the case of a headlight mounted behind an additional transparent surface, the projection shall be measured from the outermost transparent surface. The projections shall be determined according to the method described in item 3 of Annex II.] U.K.

6.2.2. Retracting headlights shall meet the requirements of item 6.2.1 above in both the operative and retracted positions. U.K.

[F1 6.2.3. The provisions of item 6.2.1 above do not apply to headlights which are sunk into the bodywork or which are ‘ overhung ’ by the bodywork, if the latter complies with the requirements of item 6.9.1.] U.K.

6.3. Grilles and gaps U.K.

[F3 6.3.1. The requirements of item 5.4 shall not apply to gaps between fixed or movable elements, including those forming part of air intake or outlet grilles and radiator grilles, provided that the distance between consecutive elements does not exceed 40 mm and provided that the grilles and gaps have a functional purpose. For gaps of between 40 mm and 25 mm the radii of curvature shall be 1 mm or more. However, if the distance between two consecutive elements is equal to or less than 25 mm, the radii of curvature of external faces of the elements shall not be less than 0·5 mm. The distance between two consecutive elements of grilles and gaps shall be determined according to the method described in item 4 of Annex II.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 Substituted by Commission Directive of 18 April 1979 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 74/483/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the external projections of motor vehicles (79/488/EEC).

6.3.2. The junction of the front with the side faces of each element forming a grille or gap shall be blunted. U.K.

6.4. Windscreen wipers U.K.

[F3 6.4.1. The windscreen wiper fittings shall be such that the wiper shaft is furnished with a protective casing which has a radius of curvature meeting the requirements of item 5.4 above and an end surface area of not less than 150 mm ² . In the case of rounded covers, these shall have a minimum projected area of 150 mm ² when measured not more than 6·5 mm from the point projecting furthest. These requirements shall also be met by rear window wipers and headlight wipers.] U.K.

[F3 6.4.2. Item 5.4 shall not apply to the wiper blades or to any supporting members. However, these units shall be so made as to have no sharp angles or pointed or cutting parts.] U.K.

6.5. Bumpers U.K.

[F3 6.5.1. The ends of the bumpers shall be turned in towards the external surface in order to minimize the risk of fouling. This requirement is considered to be satisfied if either the bumper is recessed or integrated within the bodywork or the end of the bumper is turned in so that it is not contactable by a 100 mm sphere and the gap between the bumper end and the surrounding bodywork does not exceed 20 mm.] U.K.

[F4 6.5.2. If the line of the bumper, front or rear, corresponding to the outline contour of the vehicle, from a vertical projection, is on a rigid surface, that surface shall have a minimum radius of curvature of 5 mm for all points lying between the contour line and lines, above and below the contour line, which are the traces of points 20 mm inside, and measured normal to, the contour line at any point. A minimum surface radius of curvature of 2,5 mm shall apply to all other areas of the bumpers. U.K.

This provision applies to that part of the bumper lying between tangential points of contact of the contour line with two vertical planes each set at an angle of 15 degrees with the vertical longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle (see Figure 1).]

Textual Amendments

F4 Substituted by Commission Directive 2007/15/EC of 14 March 2007 amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical progress, Annex I to Council Directive 74/483/EEC relating to the external projections of motor vehicles (Text with EEA relevance).

[F1 6.5.3. The requirement of item 6.5.2 shall not apply to parts on or of the bumper or to bumper insets which have a projection of less than 5 mm, with special reference to joint covers and jets for headlight washers; but the outward facing angles of such parts shall be blunted, save where such parts protrude less than 1·5 mm.] U.K.

[F3 6.6. Handles, hinges and push-buttons of doors, luggage compartments and bonnets; fuel tank filler caps and covers U.K.

6.6.1. The projection shall not exceed 40 mm in the case of door or luggage compartment handles and 30 mm in all other cases. U.K.

6.6.2. If lateral door handles rotate to operate, they shall meet one or other of the following requirements: U.K.

6.6.2.1. In the case of handles which rotate parallel to the plane of the door the open end of handles must be directed towards the rear. The end of such handles shall be turned back towards the plane of the door and fitted into a protective surround or be recessed. U.K.

6.6.2.2. Handles which pivot outwards in any direction which is not parallel to the plane of the door shall, when in the closed position, be enclosed in a protective surround or be recessed. The open end shall face either rearwards or downwards. U.K.

Nevertheless, handles which do not comply with this last condition may be accepted if:

• they have an independent return mechanism,

• should the return mechanisms fail, they cannot project more than 15 mm,

• they comply, in such opened position, with the provisions of item 5.4, and

• their end surface area, when measured not more than 6·5 mm from the point projecting furthest, is not less than 150 mm ² .]

[F3 6.7. Wheels, wheel nuts, hub caps and wheel discs] U.K.

6.7.1. The requirements of item 5.4 shall not apply. U.K.

[F3 6.7.2. The wheels, wheel nuts, hub caps and wheel discs shall not exhibit any pointed or sharp projections that extend beyond the external plane of the wheel rim. Wing nuts shall not be allowed.] U.K.

6.7.3. When the vehicle is travelling in a straight line, no part of the wheels other than the tyres, situated above the horizontal plane passing through their axis of rotation shall project beyond the vertical projection, in a horizontal plane, of the external surface or structure. However, if functional requirements so warrant, wheel discs which cover wheel and hub nuts may project beyond the vertical projection of the external surface or structure on condition that the radius of curvature of the surface of the projecting part is not less than 30 mm and that the projection beyond the vertical projection of the external surface or structure in no case exceeds 30 mm. U.K.

6.8. Sheet-metal edges U.K.

6.8.1. Sheet-metal edges, such as gutter edges and the rails of sliding doors shall not be permitted unless they are folded back or are fitted with a shield meeting the requirements of this Annex which are applicable to it.[F1 An unprotected edge shall be considered to be folded back either if it is folded back by approximately 180°, or if it is folded towards the bodywork in such a manner that it cannot be contacted by a sphere having a diameter of 100 mm.] U.K.

6.9. Body panels U.K.

6.9.1. Folds in body panels may have a radius of curvature of less than 2·5 mm, provided that it is not less than one-tenth of the height ‘H’ of the projection, measured in accordance with the method described in [F3 Annex II, item 1.] U.K.

6.10. Lateral air or rain deflectors U.K.

6.10.1. Lateral deflectors shall have a radius of curvature of at least 1 mm on edges capable of being directed outwards. U.K.

[F3 6.11. Jacking brackets and exhaust pipes U.K.

6.11.1. The jacking brackets and exhaust pipe(s) shall not project more than 10 mm beyond the vertical projection of the floor line lying vertically above them. As an exception to this requirement an exhaust pipe may project more than 10 mm beyond the vertical projection of the floor line, so long as it terminates in rounded edges, the minimum radius of curvature being 2·5 mm.] U.K.

[F1 6.12. Air intake and outlet flaps U.K.

6.12.1. Air intake and outlet flaps shall meet the requirements of items 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 in all positions of use. U.K.

6.13. Roof U.K.

6.13.1. Opening roofs shall be considered only in the closed position. U.K.

6.13.2. Convertible vehicles shall be examined with the hood in both the raised and lowered positions. U.K.

6.13.2.1. With the hood lowered, no examination shall be made of the vehicle inside an imaginary surface formed by the hood when in the raised position. U.K.

6.13.2.2. Where a cover for the linkage of the hood when folded is provided as standard equipment, the examination shall be made with the cover in position. U.K.

6.14. Windows U.K.

6.14.1. Windows which move outwards from the external surface of the vehicle shall comply with the following provisions in all positions of use: U.K.

6.14.1.1. no exposed edge shall face forwards; U.K.

6.14.1.2. no part of the window shall project beyond the extreme outer edge of the vehicle. U.K.

6.15. Registration plate brackets U.K.

6.15.1. Supporting brackets provided by the vehicle manufacturer for registration plates shall comply with the requirements of item 5.4 of this Annex if they are contactable by a 100 mm diameter sphere when a registration plate is fitted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. U.K.

6.16. Luggage racks and ski racks U.K.

6.16.1. Luggage racks and ski racks shall be so attached to the vehicle that positive locking exists in at least one direction and that horizontal, longitudinal and transverse forces can be transmitted which are at least equal to the vertical load-bearing capacity of the rack as specified by its manufacturer. For the test of the luggage rack or ski rack fixed to the vehicle according to the manufacturer's instructions, the test loads shall not be applied at one point only. U.K.

6.16.2. Surfaces which, after installation of the rack, can be contacted by a sphere of 165 mm diameter shall not have parts with a radius of curvature less than 2·5 mm, unless the provisions of 6.3 can be applied. U.K.

6.16.3. Fastening elements such as bolts that are tightened or loosened without tools shall not project more than 40 mm beyond the surfaces referred to in 6.16.2, the projection being determined according to the method prescribed in Annex II, item 2, but using a sphere of 165 mm diameter in those cases where the method prescribed in item 2.2 of that Annex is employed. U.K.

6.17. Radio receiving or transmitting aerials U.K.

6.17.1. Radio receiving or transmitting aerials shall be fitted to the vehicle in such a way that if their unattached end is less than 2 m from the road surface in any position of use specified by the manufacturer of the aerial, it shall be inside the zone bounded by the vertical planes which are 10 cm inside the extreme outer edge of the vehicle as defined in item 2.7. U.K.

6.17.2. Furthermore, aerials shall be so fitted to the vehicle, and if necessary their unattached ends so restricted, that no part of the aerials protrude beyond the extreme outer edge of the vehicle as defined in item 2.7. U.K.

6.17.3. Shafts of aerials may have radii of curvature of less than 2·5 mm. However, the unattached ends shall be fitted with fixed cappings, the radii of curvature of which are not less than 2·5 mm. U.K.

6.17.4. The bases of aerials shall not project more than 30 mm when determined according to the procedure of Annex II, item 2. However, in the case of aerials with amplifiers built into the base, these bases may project up to 40 mm. U.K.

6.18. Assembly instructions U.K.

6.18.1. Luggage racks, ski racks and radio receiving or transmitting aerials that have been type-approved as separate technical units may not be offered for sale, sold or purchased unless accompanied by assembly instructions. The assembly instructions shall contain sufficient information to enable the approved components to be mounted on the vehicle in a manner that complies with the relevant provisions of items 5 and 6. In particular, the positions of use must be indicated for telescopic aerials.] U.K.

(1)

The text of the Annexes in basically similar to that of Regulation No 26 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations. In particular the subdivision of the sections is the same. Where an item of Regulation No 26 has no corresponding item in the Annexes, the number is none the less given for the record in brackets.