The European Parliament adopted by 640 votes to 32, with 5 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending and correcting Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 on the approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles.
The European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure amended the Commission’s proposal as follows.
The amended text introduces a precise definition of the different features of agricultural tractors, based on the analysis of their technical characteristics.
Members considered that such a definition is essential for the correct and complete implementation of the Regulation and the delegated and implementing acts adopted under it.
Considering that discussions on the definitions of the categories take place in the relevant international fora, of which the Union is a party, such work should be taken into account by the Commission to prevent any disproportionate and negative effects on the application of technical requirements and test procedures, as well as any negative impacts for the manufacturers, in particular of highly specialised tractors.
As regards the scope, Parliament specified that the Regulation shall not apply to interchangeable equipment that is fully raised from the ground or that cannot articulate around a vertical axis when the vehicle to which it is attached is in use on a road.