EC accession to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe: uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions ('Revised 1958 Agreement')

The Committee on External Economic Relations unanimously adopted the report by Mr Peter KITTELMANN (PPE, D) recommending that Parliament approve the accession by the European Community to the revised agreement concerning the adoption of uniform conditions of approval of motor vehicle equipment and parts. Progress has been made on this matter in that Commissioner BANGEMANN has undertaken in writing for Parliament to be duly consulted before any new measures are adopted under the terms of the agreement. Members had already raised the problem of a reduction in the powers of the European Parliament. This new regulation on vehicle safety and environmental standards makes provision for assent, thereby depriving Parliament of its power of amendment under the codecision procedure. The revised agreement is based on the initial agreement concluded by the states represented at the UN Economic Commission for Europe in 1958. All the Member States of the European Union, with the exception of Ireland, are already party to the agreement. The committee considered that the accession of the European Community would emphasize the international importance of the regulations adopted by the European Community and would improve the long-term prospects of European vehicle manufacturers on the world market.