EU - European Commission - Draft Commission Implementing Regulation Laying Down Rules for the Application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144

​On July 14, 2020, the European Commission released the draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of vehicles, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as regards their general construction characteristics and safety

The draft implementing act concerns administrative provisions and technical requirements as regards vehicle systems and components, such as demist/defrost, spray-suppression systems, gear shift indicator, wheel guards, etc., which are currently regulated only at EU level and no world harmonised standards exist at UNECE level. The draft carries over the existing provisions of regulatory acts that are repealed as of 6 July 2022. The new elements in the draft are the introduction of a check digit in the composition of the vehicle identification number and the harmonisation of the space for the front registration plates.

Applicability: Vehicles and their trailers (M-, N- and O-category vehicles), and systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

The objective and rationale of this draft:

The new General Safety Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/2144), which entered into force on 5 January 2020, establishes requirements for the type-approval of vehicles with regard to their general characteristics and safety, and to the protection and safety of vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users. From the date of its application (6 July 2022), it repeals the implementing legislation under Regulations (EC) 78/2009, (EC) 79/2009 and (EC) 661/2009 concerning general vehicle and pedestrian safety, as well as hydrogen safety.

Based on the empowerments in Articles 4(7), 8(3) and 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144, the draft carries over the repealed provisions, adapted, where appropriate, to technology development.

This implementing act of an administrative nature is necessary for the regular implementation of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 and its provisions are already well known by the EU Member States and manufacturers: Quality requirements; Harmonization