OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, on the amendments of the European Parliament to the common position of the Council with a view to adoption of a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles
C O M M I S S I ON OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 12. 06. 1996 COM(96) 265 final 94/0286 (COD) OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, on the amendments of the European Parliament to the common position of the Council with a view to adoption of a European Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty Parliament on 9 May 1996 adopted three amendments to the common position adopted by the Council on 22 December 1995 on a Directive amending Directive 70/220/EEC on measures to be taken against air pollution from emissions from motor vehicles. In accordance with Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC Treaty, the Commission hereby delivers a favourable opinion on these amendments, on the following grounds: Amendments 1 and 3 are purely procedural, so there can be no objection to them; Amendment 2 reduces the duration of validity of the certificates issued for the low-powered category of vehicles, according to a specific procedure abolished by Directive 93/59/EEC. Since the expiry dates featuring in Parliament's amendment differ by only three months from those initially proposed by the Commission, and given the Commission finds this amendment acceptable. reduced number of vehicles involved, the For these reasons, the Commission has decided, in line with Article 189a of the EC Treaty, to alter its proposal so as to incorporate the amendments adopted by Parliament. Given the closeness of the dates of entry into force foreseen in the common position, it considers it a matter of urgency that the Council modifies its common position accordingly and adopts the text in question. Altered proposal for a Parliament and Council Directive amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles (submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty) Current proposalAlîered proposal Twelfth recital Whereas the Council should adopt, by 31 December 1997, the requirements valid for the stage beginning in 2000. on the basis of a proposal which the Commission must submit by 30 June 1996 and which is to be aimed at substantially reducing emissions from light commercial vehicles; Whereas the Furooean Parliament and the Council should adopt, by 31 December 1 997, the requirements valid for the stage beginning in 2000, on the basis of the Commission must submit by 30 June 1996 and which is to be aimed at substantially reducing emissions from light commercial vehicles; a proposal which Article 2(3), second subparagraph For vehicles with a power-to-weiaht ratio of no more than 30 kW/t and a maximum speed not exceeding 130 km/h. the dates referred to in The first subparagraph shall be replaced by 1 January 1998 and 1 January 1999 respectively. DeJalsd Article 4 under acting to be submitted by The Council, the conditions laid down in the Treaty, shall decide by 31 December 1997 on proposals the Commission by 30 June 1996, for a further stage in the reduction, by the adoption of Community measures, of air pollution caused by emissions from motor this Directive. The measures shall apply from the year 2000. vehicles covered by The European Parliament and the Council, acting under the conditions laid down in the Treaty, shall decide by 31 December 1997 on proposals to be submitted by the Commission by 30 June 1996, for a further stage in the of the reducTion, Community measures, of air pollution caused by emissions from motor vehicles covered by this Directive. The measures shall apply from the year 2000. adoption by In these proposals, the Commission will follow the approach outlined in Article 4 of Directive 94/1 2/EC. In these proposals, the Commission will follow the approach outlined in Article 4 of Directive 94/12/EC. ISSN 0254-1475 C0M(96) 265 final DOCUMENTS EN 14 07 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-276-EN-C ISBN 92-78-05314-7 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg T