The European Parliament Internal Market Committee approved today, with amendments, new rules on the manufacturing standards of road vehicles at a second-reading vote on the report on Vehicle Type Approval ( EN ) by rapporteur Malcolm Harbour (EPP-ED, UK).
- To obtain approval, manufacturers will have to comply with stricter technical requirements and some devices will become compulsory , including ABS (anti-blocking systems for brakes), new and more efficient rear mirrors, improved light-signalling, edge protection and anti-splashing devices for tires.
- The revised legislation will benefit companies that produce cars at relatively low volumes - generally manufacturers of more specialist cars. They will now be able to produce 1000 cars per annum with simplified and less expensive test procedures; double the previous figure of 500. This will save small manufacturers from disproportionate costs and encourage newcomers to the market.
- Under the new legislation, buses and coaches will have to provide easy access to persons with reduced mobility .
- In amendments adopted today Parliament voted to ensure that wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) have their own category of safety testing specifications, thereby giving them clear rules and unlimited production numbers .
- MEPs also voted to bring the directive into line with the new rules on comitology , to ensure Parliament has a say in any technical details decided after the legislation is passed.
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