Explanatory note

This Order amends the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 1979 by the insertion of a new article 17A, whereby the Secretary of State authorises the use on roads of vehicles propelled by compressed natural gas notwithstanding that they do not comply with specified requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, provided that the requirements of new Schedules 5A and 5B to the 1979 Order are complied with.

The new Schedules 5 and 5A are set out in the Schedule to this Order. Schedule 5A sets out the constructional requirements for compressed natural gas systems used for the propulsion of vehicles. The new Schedule 5B sets out the requirements for testing gas containers used in such systems. Tests must be carried out at an accredited testing laboratory in accordance with British Standard 5430 : Part I : 1990 or any equivalent standard recognised in an EEA State and laboratories must be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service or accredited in accordance with European Standard EN 45001 or an equivalent national standard in an EEA State.

Copies of British Standards BS 7501 : 189 and BS 5430 : Part I : 1990 and of European Standard EN 45001 : 1989 (which is identical with BS 7501 : 1989) can be obtained from the British Standards Institution, Customer Service Department, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL (Telephone: 0181-996 7000 or from the Stationery Office).

This Order has been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 83/189/EEC of 28 March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ 1983 L109, p.9) as amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC of 22 March 1988 (OJ 1988 L81, p.75) and European Parliament and Council Directive 94/10/EEC of 23 March 1994 (OJ 1994 L100, p.30).