United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) "Parallel Agreement": global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts; aligning the Decision with the TFEU

PURPOSE: to adapt Council Decision 2000/125/EC to the decision making procedures regarding international agreements set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

NON LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Decision 2013/454/EU amending Decision 2000/125/EC concerning the conclusion of the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles ("Parallel Agreement")

BACKGROUND: the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) develops harmonised requirements, intended to remove technical barriers to the trade in motor vehicles between the Contracting Parties to the Revised 1958 Agreement and to ensure that such vehicles offer a high level of safety and environmental protection.

By Council Decision 2000/125/EC concerning the conclusion of the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles ("Parallel Agreement") the Union acceded to the Parallel Agreement, in the framework of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The changes to the Treaties occurred after the adoption of Decision 97/836/EC and in particular the adoption of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union have substantially altered the decision-making procedure to be followed for the conclusion of Agreements between the Union and international organisations, making it necessary to adapt Decision 2000/125/EC to the new procedures.

Consequently, it is necessary to adapt Decision 2000/125/EC to the decision-making procedures concerning international agreements set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: the Decision amends Council Decision 2000/125/EC to reflect the changes made by the TFEU in the decision-making procedure to be followed for the establishment of the position of the Union when voting Regulations to be adopted by the UNECE and the conclusion of agreements between the Union and international organisations.

The objective is to simplify and expedite the procedure regarding the voting of UNECE Regulations by the Commission on behalf of the Union, hence reducing the delay in the adoption of these acts in the framework of the UNECE. This is important as the EU vehicle type-approval system currently relies more and more on UNECE Regulations, which are replacing EU legislation (see Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 on General Safety).

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 17.09.2013.