Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 in relation to seat belts and their anchorage points in the light of Directives 96/36/EC, 96/38/EC and 2000/3/EC.

Article 3 and the Schedule substitute a new regulation 46 which specifies what anchorage points are to be fitted to which vehicles and the technical requirements for anchorage points. Regulation 4 amends regulation 47 which makes corresponding provision for seat belts and regulation 5 makes a consequential amendment to regulation 48 (maintenance of seat belts and anchorages). Regulation 6 amends regulation 48A so as to enable rearward-facing seats meeting specified requirements to count towards the minimum number of forward-facing seats with seat belts that must be provided on minibuses and coaches used to carry groups of children on organised trips. Regulation 7 corrects a reference to a Community Directive in item 59 in Table I in Schedule 2. Regulation 8 inserts some references to ECE Regulations 14.03, 14.04 and 14.05 in Table II in Schedule 2.

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 98/34/EC of 22nd June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (O.J. 1998 No. L204, p.37).

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared and copies are available from DETR, zone 2/06 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (Website:http://www.detr.gov.uk/). Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of each House of Parliament.

Copies of the Regulations and Directives which are relevant to these Regulations can be obtained from the Stationery Office.