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, 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 from 1 January 2005.
(2)
The RID is updated every two years. Consequently, the next amended version shall be applicable as from 1 January 2007, with a transitional period up to 30 June 2007.
(3)
It is therefore necessary to amend the Annex to Directive 96/49/EC.
(4)
The measures provided for in this Directive are in conformity 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: