18.3.98 Official Journal of the European Communities L 811 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 98/12/EC of 27 January 1998 adapting to technical progress Council Directive 71/320/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the braking devices of certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to 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 (!) as last amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 92/27/EC (?) and in particular Article 13(2) thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 71/320/EEC of 26 July 1971 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the braking devices of certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers (3) as last amended by Commission Directive 91/422/EEC (*) and in particular Article 5 thereof, Whereas Directive 71/320/EEC is one of the separate Directives of the EC type-approval procedure which has been established by Directive 70/156/EEC; whereas, consequently, the provisions laid down in Directive 70/156/EEC relating to vehicle systems, components and separate technical units apply to this Directive; Whereas, in particular, Articles 3(4) and 4(3) of Directive 70/156/EEC necessitate that each separate Directive has attached to it an information document incorporating the 1 2 (') OJ L 42, 23.2.1970, p. 1. (2) OJ L 233, 25.8.1997, p. 1. (3) OJ L 202, 6.9.1971, p. 37. (4) OJ L 233, 22.8.1991, p. 21. relevant items of Annex I to that Directive and also a type-approval certificate based on Annex VI thereto in order that type approval may be computerised. Whereas the aftermarket sales of replacement brake linings is such that, in order to ensure standards of safety and reliability are maintained, there is now a requirement for regulating the quality and performance of replacement brake linings on the market by means of this Directive; Whereas the recognition of equivalence between international regulations, in particular regulations of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations, and separate Directives is desirable; whereas, consequently, it has been deemed necessary to bring into line the provisions of Directive 71/32/EEC with those of UN/ECE Regulation No 13 relating to braking and Regulation No 90 relating to replacement brake lining assemblies; Whereas the number of subsequent revisions to the original Directive 71/320/EEC now deem it appropriate to consolidate all of these revisions into a single consolidated Directive; Whereas the provisions of this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for adaptation to technical progress established by Directive 70/156/EEC,