Road safety: anchorages of safety belts (amend. Directive 76/115/EEC)

PURPOSE: To amend Directive 76/115/EEC relating to anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2005/41/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: This Directive has been approved in order to improve road safety by introducing compulsory fittings of safety belts in certain categories of vehicles. The provisions of the Directive state:

-         Directive 79/115/EEC has been amended so that vehicles of category M2 and M3 shall be subdivided into classes relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat.

-         The Annexes have been amended so that vehicles belonging to categories M1, M2 (of class III or B), M3 (of class III or B) and N must be equipped with anchorages for safety belts conforming to the requirements of this Directive.

-         For seating intended solely for use when the vehicle is stationary, as well as any seats of any vehicle not covered by belt anchorage provisions, then no anchorage is required. If the vehicle is fitted with anchorages for such seats, these anchorages must comply with the provisions of this Directive. However, any anchorage intended solely for use in conjunction with a disabled person’s belt need not conform to the Directive.

-         The Commission will, however, by April 2008 examine specific procedures to harmonise requirements for a disabled person’s belt.

-         As far as implementation is concerned, as from 20 April 2006, Member States shall not refuse to grant national or EC type-approval or prohibit the registration, sale or entry into service of all new vehicles complying with the requirements of this amending Directive. As from 20 October 2006, Member States shall no longer grant national or EC-type approval to those vehicles which do not comply with the requirement of this amending Directive. As from 20 October 2007, Member States shall consider certificates of conformity which accompany new vehicles as no longer valid for the purpose of Article 7 of Directive 70/156/EEC and refuse registration, sale or entry into service of new vehicles, except where the provisions of Article 8 of Directive 70/156/EEC are invoked.

TRANSPOSITION: Member States shall adopt and publish the necessary measures necessary to comply with this Directive before 20 April 2006. The measures will apply as from 21 April 2006.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 20/10/2004.