Article 3U.K.Obligations of manufacturers

1.The manufacturer shall determine, for each version within a vehicle type, irrespective of the state of completion of the vehicle, the following masses:

(a)the technically permissible maximum laden mass;

(b)the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the combination;

(c)the technically permissible maximum towable mass;

(d)the technically permissible maximum mass on the axles or the technically permissible maximum mass on a group of axles;

(e)the technically permissible maximum masses at the coupling point(s) taking into account the technical features of the couplings that are fitted or can be fitted to the vehicle as the case may be.

2.When determining the masses referred to in paragraph 1, the manufacturer shall take into account the best practices of good engineering and the best available technical knowledge in order to minimise the risks of mechanical failure, in particular those due to fatigue of materials, and to avoid damage to the road infrastructure.

3.When determining the masses referred to in paragraph 1, the manufacturer shall take into account the maximum speed by construction of the vehicle.

Where the vehicle is equipped by the manufacturer with a speed limitation device, the maximum speed by construction shall be the true speed permitted by the speed limitation device.

4.When determining the masses referred to in paragraph 1, the manufacturer shall not impose restrictions on the use of the vehicle except those concerning the tyre capacities that can be adjusted to the speed by construction as is allowed under UNECE Regulation No 54 — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of pneumatic tyres for commercial vehicles and their trailers(1) and in Section 5 of Annex II to Commission Regulation (EU) No 458/2011(2).

5.For incomplete vehicles, including chassis-cabin vehicles, that require a further stage of completion, the manufacturer shall provide all relevant information to the next stage manufacturers so that the requirements of this Regulation continues to be fulfilled.

For the purposes of the first subparagraph, the manufacturer shall specify the position of the centre of gravity of the mass corresponding to the sum of the load.

6.Incomplete vehicles of categories M2, M3, N2 and N3 not fitted with a bodywork shall be designed so as to allow the subsequent stage manufacturers to be able to fulfil the requirements of Sections 7 and 8 of Part B and Section 6 and 7 of Part C of Annex I.