31.7.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 200/1 | (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS REGULATION (EC) No 661/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 July 2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2), Whereas: (1) The internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured. To that end, a compre- hensive Community type-approval system for motor vehicles, established by Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (3), is in place. (2)  This Regulation is a separate regulation for the purposes of the Community type-approval procedure provided for by Directive 2007/46/EC. Therefore, Annexes IV, VI, XI and XV to that Directive should be amended accordingly. (') Opinion of 14 January 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (%) Opinion of the European Parliament of 10 March 2009 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 22 June 2009. () OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, p. 1. (3)  This Regulation is without prejudice to the vehicle single- step and mixed type-approval procedure set out in Article 6 of Directive 2007/46/EC. (4)  The technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to numerous safety and envi- ronmental elements have been harmonised at Community level in order to avoid requirements that differ from one Member State to another, and to ensure a high level of road safety and environmental protection throughout the Community. (5)  Therefore, this Regulation also aims at enhancing the competitiveness of the Community automotive industry whilst enabling Member States to exercise effective market surveillance of compliance with the detailed type-approval requirements of this Regulation as regards the placing on the market of the products concerned. (6) It is appropriate to set out requirements regarding both the general safety of motor vehicles and the environ- mental performance of tyres, due to the availability of tyre pressure monitoring systems which enhance at the same time the safety and environmental performance of tyres. (7)  Following the request of the European Parliament, a new regulatory approach has been applied to Community vehicle legislation. This Regulation should therefore lay down only fundamental provisions on vehicle safety and CO, and noise emissions from tyres, whereas the technical specifications should be laid down by imple- menting measures adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (4. () OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.