Council Decision of 13 March 2006 on the accession of the Community to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation No 55 on provisions concerning the approval of mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles (Text with EEA relevance) (2006/444/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997 with a view to accession by the European Community to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (Revised 1958 Agreement)^f1, and in particular Article 3(3) and the second indent of Article 4(2), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament^f2,

Whereas:

The standardised requirements of Regulation No 55^f3 on provisions concerning the approval of mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles are intended to remove technical barriers to the trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties and to ensure a high level of safety and protection in the operation of vehicles.

Regulation No 55 was not included in Annex II of Decision 97/836/EC as it did not comport with Community technical requirements and specifications at the time of Community accession to the Revised 1958 Agreement.

In light of subsequent amendments, Regulation No 55 should be incorporated into the Community system for the type approval of motor vehicles,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: