Official Journal of the European Communities 111 No L 42/16 Official Journal of the European Communities COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles (70/157/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 Parliament?; Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee?; Whereas the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate, inter alia, to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system; Whereas those 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 the Council Directive3 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 to be applied in respect of each type of vehicle; "HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicle intended for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 1 OJ No C 160, 18.12.1969, p. 7. 2 O] No C 48, 16.4.1969, p. 16. 3 O] No L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1. kilometres per hour, with the exception of vehicles which run on rails, agricultural tractors and machinery and public works vehicles. Article 2 No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type approval or national type approval of a vehicle on grounds relating to the permissible sound level or the exhaust system if its sound level and exhaust system satisfy the requirements set out in the Annex. Article 3 The -amendments necessary for adjusting the requirements of the Annex so as to take account of technical progress, with ‘the exception of the requirements set out under items 1.1 and 1.4.1.4, shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure. laid down in Article 13 of the Council Directive on the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers. Article 4 1. Member States shall put into force the provisions containing the requirements needed in order to comply with this Directive within eighteen months of its notification and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall ensure that the texts of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission. Article § This Directive is addressed to the quber States. Done at Brussels, 6 February 1970. For the Council The President P. HARMEL