Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2003)630 - Position of the EC on the draft Regulation of the UNECE on uniform technical prescriptions concerning the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles

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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.

1. GENERAL

By Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997, the European Community became a Contracting Party to the Revised 1958 Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE); that Decision took effect on 24 March 1998.

Article 4 of that Decision states in particular that, where a draft Regulation of the UN/ECE is submitted to a vote within the appropriate bodies of the UN/ECE, the draft concerned must be approved by the Council, after having received the assent of the European Parliament, before the Community can vote in favour of adopting such a draft Regulation.

The agenda for a forthcoming meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the UN/ECE includes in particular a vote on a draft (new) Regulation on uniform prescriptions concerning the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles.

The aim of the Regulation is, in particular, to establish harmonised technical requirements in order to avoid the creation of technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties, while ensuring a high level of safety and environmental protection.

It should be stressed that the position of the EC at the time of the vote will be based on the documents available in the official languages of the UN/ECE (French and English). Indeed, the EC having become a Contracting Party to the revised 1958 Agreement of the UN/ECE is required to observe the procedures envisaged in the aforementioned agreement.

In conformity with the requirements of Article 4(5) of Decision 97/836/EC, the Regulation will be published in all the official languages of the Communities in the Official Journal of the European Union before entering into force.

2. CONTENT OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION

The purpose of the proposal for a Decision is to enable the Commission representative to vote on behalf of the Community on the draft Regulation at a forthcoming meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations of the UN/ECE.