Brussels, 19/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday on the initiative of the Commissioner for Industry, Erkki Liikanen, the Commission presented a draft directive for the front of cars (the bumpers and boot) in an effort to increase protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users who could suffer collisions with vehicles. The text defines the strictest requirements that car manufacturers will have to meet from the moment a product is designed in order to reduce the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on pedestrians and cyclists. The Commission is proposing that manufacturers submit new types of vehicles to voluntary tests laid down by the European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) as from 2005, then with the trials improved in 2010. European Consumer and safety organisations in transport have described the proposal as insufficient as it initially calls for less rigorous trials and postpones the application of EEVC (European Experimental Vehicle Committee) tests to 2010, tests which would lead to increased protection for pedestrians. EUROPE will return.