Commission Directive 2007/34/ECShow full title

Commission Directive 2007/34/EC

of 14 June 2007

amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical progress, Council Directive 70/157/EEC concerning the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers(1), and in particular the second indent of Article 13(2) thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 70/157/EEC relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles(2), and in particular Article 3 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Directive 70/157/EEC is one of the separate Directives in the context of the Community type-approval procedure laid down in Directive 70/156/EEC. The provisions of Directive 70/156/EEC relating to systems, components and separate technical units for vehicles therefore apply to Directive 70/157/EEC.

(2) Since the entry into force of Directive 70/157/EEC of 6 February 1970, the noise limits for motor vehicles have been reduced several times, most recently in 1995. The last reduction did not have the expected effects and subsequent studies have shown that the measurement method no longer reflects the real life driving behaviour. It is therefore necessary to introduce a new test cycle and bring the driving conditions for carrying out the noise test closer into line with real life driving operations. The new test cycle is contained in UN/ECE Regulation No 51, 02 series of amendments(3).

(3) During a transitional period, the current test as well as the new test should be carried out for type-approval and the results of both tests should be reported to the Commission. This would enable the Commission to obtain the necessary data for establishing appropriate limit values for the new measurement method which would replace the existing test protocol. The current method should continue to be required in order to receive type-approval and the new method should be used for monitoring purposes. After the transitional period, the test protocol as adapted to the new test should become the only measurement required in order to receive type-approval.

(4) In order to take into account the most recent amendments to UN/ECE Regulations Nos 51 and 59, to which the Community has already acceded, it is appropriate to adapt Directive 70/157/EEC to technical progress by aligning it with the technical requirements of those regulations. This is important, in particular, in order to take over the mandatory monitoring procedure of the motor vehicle noise emissions laid down in the UN/ECE Regulation No 51 for the purposes of EC type-approval. Otherwise, the Directive would fall behind the Regulation with regard to technical advancement.

(5) Pursuant to Article 3 of Directive 70/157/EEC, the measures provided for by this Directive do not modify the requirements set out in points 5.2.2.1 and 5.2.2.5 of Annex I to Directive 70/157/EEC. With regard to the new structure of the Annexes, it is necessary to adapt the numbering and references specified in those points. In order to ensure the link to other provisions of Community legislation, it is also appropriate to provide for a correlation between the current and the new numbering.

(6) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Adaptation to Technical Progress,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

(1)

OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/96/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 81).

(2)

OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 16. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/96/EC.

(3)

OJ L 137, 30.5.2007, p. 68.