Introductory text

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 February 2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles^f1, and in particular Article 17(5) and Article 49(3),

Whereas:

The internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured. To that end, a comprehensive EU type-approval system and a strengthened market surveillance system for agricultural and forestry vehicles and their systems, components and separate technical units as defined by Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 apply.

Agricultural and forestry vehicles falling under the definition of ‘tractor’ set out in Article 3(8) of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013, on which machinery is mounted, should be type-approved in accordance with Article 77 of that Regulation.

That mounted machinery enables tractors to be used for a wide variety of agricultural and forestry purposes, including special purpose works. Therefore, that mounted machinery should be subject to Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council^f2, as set out in Article 77 of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013.

By Council Decision 97/836/EC^f3, the Union acceded to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 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’). In its communication CARS 2020: Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Europe, the Commission highlighted that the acceptance of international regulations under the 1958 UNECE Agreement is the best way to remove non-tariff barriers to trade.

By Decision 97/836/EC, the Union also acceded to UNECE Regulations Nos 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 23, 31, 37, 38, 43, 71, 79, 98 and 99.

In the Union, some of the requirements under regulations on vehicle parts are taken over from the corresponding UNECE regulations. As technology progresses, UNECE regulations are constantly amended and the relevant Union regulations have to be regularly updated to keep them in line with the content of the respective UNECE regulations.

The possibility to apply UNECE regulations for the purpose of EU vehicle type-approval as a basis to Union legislation is provided for in Regulation (EU) No 167/2013. According to that Regulation, type-approval in accordance with UNECE regulations which apply on an equal basis to Union legislation is to be considered as EU type-approval in accordance with that Regulation and its delegated and implementing acts.

Using UNECE regulations on an equal basis to Union legislation helps to avoid duplication not only of technical requirements but also of certification and administrative procedures. In addition, type-approval that is directly based on internationally agreed standards should improve market access in third countries, in particular in those which are contracting parties to the Revised 1958 Agreement, thus enhancing the competitiveness of Union industry.

It is appropriate to include UNECE Regulations Nos 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 19, 23, 31, 37, 38, 43, 71, 79, 98, 99, 106, 112, 113 in Annex I to this Regulation, which lists the UNECE regulations that apply on an equal basis to Union legislation.

Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 and Annex I to that regulation lay down functional safety requirements previously covered in Directives repealed in that Regulation. While the requirements laid down in this Regulation have to a large extent been carried over from those repealed directives, important modifications should be introduced where necessary to update to technical progress, extend the scope to further vehicle categories or to increase the level of safety as regards, for example: steerability, glazing, dimensions and masses, tyres and mechanical couplings are deemed paramount for the functional safety of agricultural and forestry vehicles. Requirements regarding the maximum design speed, speed governor and speed-limitation devices should be introduced to address specific characteristics of agricultural and forestry tractors that are designed for off-road use but that travel also on hard-paved public roads.

For the purposes of national type-approval, national authorities may not, on grounds relating to the functional safety, refuse to approve types of vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units which are compliant with the requirements provided for in this Regulation, with the exception of the requirements on certain subjects, as some Member States have stricter requirements at national level.

Member States should prohibit the making available on the market, registration, or entry into service of new vehicles not complying with the requirements of this Regulation as from the same date as provided for in Regulation 167/2013 and the other delegated acts adopted thereunder.

In order to allow for a uniform application date of all new type-approval rules, this Regulation should apply as from 1 January 2016, date of application of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: