Annexes to COM(2014)107 - Communication to the EP concerning the Council's position on a Regulation on the sound level of motor vehicles - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2014)107 - Communication to the EP concerning the Council's position on a Regulation on the sound level of motor vehicles. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2014)107  |
| date | February 21, 2014 |
3.2. Comments on the amendments adopted by the European Parliament
3.2.1. European Parliament amendments included in full, in part or in principle in Council’s position at first reading
The Council’s position in first reading encompasses the vast majority of amendments introduced by the European Parliament, in particular, most of the additional recitals proposed by the European Parliament, the alignment of the test procedure with the test procedure developped under the auspice of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the inclusion of a new test track and a new vehicle classification.
On limit values, the Council position is very close to the initial Commission proposal with regard to final limits, but with a delayed application. It can also be seen for most of the vehicle categories as a subsequent step to the final step proposed by the European Parliament in its first reading position. It can be supported by the Commission as a compromise.
The Council has accepted the amendment on the labelling of the sound level of vehicles by the dealership proposed by the Parliament. However, the Council chose not to make this requirement mandatory before the Commission has completed an impact assesment on such a mandatory requirement. This issue was not part of the initial Commission proposal, but can be supported as part of the package.
The Council endorsed the amendment of the European Parliament requiring the mandatory fitting of an acoustic vehicle alarm system (so called “AVAS”) on electric and hybrid vehicles. It should be recalled that the initial Commission proposal only included an optional fitting. The Commission can support the amendment of the Council as it also introduces a lead time of 3/5 years which will allow the developement of more detailed technical requirements on the approval of such systems and will give time to industry to adapt their products to those new requirements
The amendment from the European Parliament introducing a reference to Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products [1] was taken on board as a recital by the Council position. This can also be supported by the Commission.
The clarifications brought to the drafting of the Commission text by the Council and the Parliament can also be supported.
3.2.2. European Parliament amendments not included in Council position at first reading
The Council felt that the amendment of the European Parliament requiring the Commission to study the possibility to introduce a road classification system with regard to their rolling noise behaviour was not appropriate in an article of a Regulation dealing with motor vehicles. However, the Council recognized that an integrated approach on noise should be followed and that road maps according to Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise[2] could form the basis of future reasearch work on road surface classification. This is supported by the Commission.
On delegated acts, the Council could support neither an unlimited empowerment of the Commission for the update of the non-essential elements of the Annexes (Commission proposal) nor a tacit renewal of the empowerment (Parliament proposal). Compared to the European Parliament proposal, the Council also restricted the number of Annexes which can be amended by the Commission. The Commission regrets this decision from a practical point of view (ordinary legislative procedure needed after five years even for small changes in the Annexes) but can accept it as part of the final compromise between the co-legislators.
3.3. New provisions introduced by the Council and the Commission’s position
The Council introduced a number of technical amendments, in particular to clearly make the link between this new Regulation and the framework Directive 2007/46/EC establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles [3]. This can be supported.
The Council also introduced additional requirements to allow easier road worthiness tests and easier road side checks of hybrid vehicles. This can also be supported.
4. CONCLUSION
Although the Commision regrets for practical reasons the decision of the Council restricting the delegation to the Commission to a limited number of Annexes and a fixed period of five years, the Commission perceives that the only way of allowing the procedure to continue is to refrain from opposing it.
The Council acted by a qualified majority.
In conclusion, the Commission supports, in a spirit of compromise, the position adopted by the Council.
[1] OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 30
[2] OJ L 189, 18.7.2002, p. 12.
[3] OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, p. 1.