Car industry: approval of specific LPG and CNG retrofit systems, UN/ECE Regulation

PURPOSE : to enable the EC to vote at the UN Economic Commission for Europe on LPG and CNG retrofit systems. CONTENT : In 1998, the EC became a Contracting Party to the 1958 Revised Agreement of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE). Where a draft Regulation of UN/ECE is submitted to a vote, the Council must approve the draft, after receiving assent from the European Parliament, before the Community may vote in favour. The next agenda for the UN/ECE includes a vote on a new draft Regulation concerning the approval of uniform provisions on: -specific LPG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system; -specific CNG retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system. The aim of the regulation is to abolish technical barriers to trade in motor vehicles, whilst ensuring a high level of safety and environmental protection. The purpose of this proposal is to enable the Commission representative to vote on behalf of the Community on the draft Regulation in question at a future meeting of the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle regulations of the UN/ECE.�