27.9.76 No L 262/1 Official Journal of the European Communities (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on motor vehicles and their trailers (76/756/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro- pean 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 the technical requirements which motor vehicles must satisfy pursuant to national laws relate inter alia to the installation of lighting and light- signalling devices; 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 proccedure 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 (') O] No C 55, 13. 5. 1974, p. 14. ) OJ No C 109, 19. 9. 1974, p. 22. and their trailers (3), to be introduced in respect of each type of vehicle; Whereas common requirements for the construction of lighting and light-signalling devices will be the subject of further special Directives; Whereas approximation of the national laws relating to motor vehicles entails mutual recognition by the Member States of the checks carried out by each of them on the basis of the common requirements; whereas, if the system is to function properly, these requirements must be applied from the same date, 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 km/h, and its trailers, with the exception of (%) OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1.