Brussels, 30/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Transport Ministers of the EU are not opposed to the latest proposals of the Commission aiming to harmonise and intensify roadworthiness tests for vehicles, but their preference is for a directive rather than a regulation, and they feel the list of vehicles concerned should be limited.
At the “Transport” Council of Monday 29 October in Luxembourg, the ministers held an initial debate on the Commission's proposals to reinforce roadworthiness tests, to ensure road safety and protect the environment. Since July, the Commission has wanted to increase the frequency of tests, lay down minimum standards and improve training for testers, all within a harmonised European framework. The vast majority of member states do not challenge the Commission's point of view. However, the delegations agree that the legislative proposal should take the form of a directive rather than a regulation, in order to guarantee a certain amount of flexibility at national level to adapt the European rules to local realities. Germany has announced its opposition to any European injunction regarding the roadworthiness tests, as it feels that its system is effective enough. Lastly, the Council takes the view that the current regime should be kept in place for certain types of vehicles, such as tractors, mopeds and trailers. (MD/transl.fl)