31.1.77 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 26/59 COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 21 December 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to taximeters (77/95/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 (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2), Whereas in the Member States both the construction and the methods of control of taximeters are subject to mandatory provisions: which - differ from one Member State to another and consequently hinder trade in such instruments; whereas it is therefore - necessary to approximate these provisions; Whereas Council Directive 71/316/EEC of 26 July 1971 "on- the approximation of the laws of the - Member States relating to common provisions for - both measuring instruments and methods of metrological control (3), as-amended by the Act of Accession (*), has laid down the EEC pattern approval and EEC initial verification procedures; whereas, in accordance with that Directive, it is necessary to lay down the technical requirements which the fabrication and operation of taximeters must satisfy in order to be freely imported, marketed and used after having undergone the requisite inspections and having been provided with the required marks and signs, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Article 1 This Directive applies to time-distance meters called ‘taximeters’. Such meters are defined in 1.1 of the Annex hereto. J No C 7, 12. 1. 1976, p. 38. J No C 35, 16. 2. 1976, p. 12. J No L 202, 6. 9. 1971, p. 1. J No L 73, 27. 3. 1972, p. 14. OO0 Article 2 Those taximeters which may bear EEC marks and signs are described in the Annex hercto. They shall be subject to EEC pattern approval and to EEC initial verification under the conditions laid down in 1.2.2 of-Annex II to Directive 71/316/EEC and under the conditions laid down in the Annex hereto. Article- 3 No Member State may refuse, prohibit or restrict the placing on the market of raximeters bearing the EEC pattern approval-sign and the EEC partial initial verification mark provided for in 3.1.1.2 of Annex II to Directive 717316/EEC. : It shall be the responsibility of the competent authorities of the Member States to _ensure that the operations supplementary to EEC initial verification are carried out as provided for in-7.3 of the Annex hereto, before these instruments arc put into service, if these operations are prescribed under national regulations and  have not been carried out beforehand. Article 4 1. Member States shall put into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive within 18 months of its notification, and shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt or intend to adopt in the field covered by this Directive. Article 5 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 21 December 1976. For the Council The President A.P.L. M. M. van der STEE