29.1.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L25/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DIRECTIVE 2003/97/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 10 November 2003 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of devices for indirect vision and of vehicles equipped with these devices, amending Directive 70/156/EEC and repealing Directive 71/127/EEC (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1)  Council Directive 71/127/EEC of 1 March 1971 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the rear-view mirrors of motor vehicles (*) was adopted as one of the separate directives of the EC type- approval procedure which was established by Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating (1) OJ C126E, 28.5.2002, p. 225. (3) OJ C149,21.6.2002, p. 5. (®) Opinion of the European Parliament of 9 April 2002 (O] C 127 E, 29.5.2003, p. 25, Council common position of 8 April 2003 (OJ C 214 E, 9.9.2003, p. 7), position of the European Parliament of 1 July 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council decision of 20 October 2003. () OJL 68,22.3.1971, p. 1. Directive as last amended by the 1994 Act of Accession. to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trai- lers (°). Consequently, the provisions laid down in Direc- tive 70/156/EEC relating to vehicle systems, components and separate technical units apply to Directive 71/127] EEC. (2)  Existing provisions, in particular in the case of categories N,, N3, M, and M; have proved inadequate as regards the exterior field of vision to the side, front and rear of the vehicle. In order to remedy this shortcoming, it is necessary to require an extension of the field of vision. (3) In the light of the experience gained and the present state of the art, it is now possible to amplify certain requirements of Directive 71/127/EEC with a view to improving road safety and to permit the use of mirrors to be supplemented by other technologies. (4)  Taking into account the nature and the number of changes necessary to the requirements in force today, it is advisable to repeal andreplace Directive 71/127/EEC by this Directive. Since the type-approval and the conformity of production procedures are provided for in Directive 70/156/EEC, it is not necessary to repeat them in this Directive. (®) OJL42,23.2.1970, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 807/2003 (OJ L 122, 16.5.2003, p. 36).