Sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems

The Council adopted its position at first reading with a view to the adoption of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the sound level of motor vehicles and of replacement silencing systems, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC and repealing Directive 70/157/EEC.

Following the vote in the plenary on 6 February 2013, the Parliament and the Council conducted negotiations with the aim of concluding a second-reading agreement on the basis of a Council first-reading position that the Parliament could approve as such. The text of the Council's first-reading position fully reflects the compromise reached between the two co-legislators, with the help of the Commission.

The compromise reflected in the Council position repeals Directive 70/157/EEC and amends Directive 2007/46/EC establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, introducing additional sound emission provisions. The main points of the compromise reached with the Parliament include :

·        limit values for sound emissions and phases for their implementation in the various categories of vehicles (Annex III);

·        Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems to be installed in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles;

·        new test parameters for testing the sound emissions of vehicles;

·        consumer information on the sound emission of vehicles;

·        new definitions;

·        the obligations of Member States are clarified;

·        the Annexes to Directive 2007/46/EC are adapted.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Permanent Representatives Committee, the ENVI Chair indicates that he will recommend to the members of the Committee, and subsequently to the plenary, that they approve the Council's position at first reading without amendments at the European Parliament's second reading.