THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 96/49/EC of 23 July 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail(1), and in particular Article 8 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Annex to Directive 96/49/EC refers to the Regulation concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail (RID), as applicable with effect from 1 July 2003.
(2) The RID is normally updated every two years, the latest update being in force from 1 January 2003, with a transitional period up to 30 June 2003.
(3) Exceptionally the RID was updated again after one year so that the amended version entered into force on 1 January 2004.
(4) It is therefore necessary to amend the Annex to Directive 96/49/EC.
(5) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on the transport of dangerous goods referred to in Article 9 of Directive 96/49/EC,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 25. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2003/29/EC (OJ L 90, 8.4.2003, p. 47).