28.3.78 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 81/27 COUNCIL D[RECTIVE of 21 December 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the defrosting and demis- ting systems of glazed surfaces of motor vehicles (78/317/EEC) 'THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 - thereof, : : Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),  Whereas the technical requirements which motor ve- ‘hicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to the defrosting and demisting systems of glazed surfaces of motor vehicles; Whereas these requirements differ from one Member - State to another; whereas it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements either in addition to or in place of their existing rules in order, in particular, to allow the EEC type-approval procedure, which was the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers(3), as amended by Directive 78/315/EEC (%), to be introduced in respect of each type of vehicle; Whereas it is advisable to draft the technical require- ments so that they have the same aim as the work being carried out on the subject in the UN Economic Com- mission for Europe; . Whereas these requirements apply to motor vehicles in category M, (the international classification of motor vehicles is given in Annex I to Directive 70/156/EEC); Whereas the approximation of national laws relating to motor vehicles entails reciprocal recognition by Member 1) O] No C 118, 16. 5. 1977, p. 33. 2) OJ No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 9. () ) (®) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1. (4) See page 1 of this Official Journal. States of the checks carried out by each of them on the basis of the common requirements, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 . For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any 'motor vehicle in category M; (as defined in Annex I to ‘Directive 70/156/EEC) intended for use on the road, “having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h. Article 2 No Member State may refuse to grant EEC' type- approval or national type-approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to the defrosting and demisting systems - of its glazed surfaces if they satisfy the requirements set ~out in Annexes I, II, IIl, IV and V. Article 3 No Member State may refuse or prohibit the sale, regis- tration, entry into service or use of any vehicle on grounds relating to the defrosting and demisting systems of its glazed surfaces if they satisfy the requirements laid down in Annexes I, II, III, IV and V. Article 4 The Member State which has granted type-approval shall take the measures required to ensure that it is in- - formed of any modification of a part or characteristic referred to in 2.2 of Annex 1. The competent authorities of that State shall determine whether it is necessary to carry out further tests on the modified “vehicle type and to prepare a new report. If these tests show that the requirements of this Directive have not - been complied with, the modification shall not be authorized.