Article 1
1
For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicle designed for use on the road, with or without bodywork, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h,F1 with the exception of vehicles which run on rails and of agricultural and forestry tractors and all mobile machinery.
F2Vehicles of category M2 and M3 shall be subdivided into classes as defined in section 2 of Annex I to Directive 2001/85/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2001 relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat6.
F32
This Directive shall not apply to rearward-facing seats.
Article 2
No Member State may refuse to grant EEC type-approval or national type-approval of a vehicleF1 on grounds relating to the strength of the seats or their anchorages, or to grant EEC type-approval or national type-approval of a seat on grounds relating to its strength and occupant protection capability, if these meet the requirements set out in Annexes II or III, as applicable, when the vehicle belongs to category M and is equipped with seat belts, and the requirements set out in Annex IV when the vehicle belongs to category M2 or M3 not equipped with seat belts or to category N. The vehicle categories are defined in Annex IIA to Directive 70/156/EEC.
Article 3
No Member State may refuse to register or prohibit the sale, entry into service or use of any vehicleF1 on grounds relating to the strength of the seats or their anchorages, or prohibit the sale, entry into service or use of any seat on grounds relating to its strength and occupant protection capability, if these meet the requirements of the relevant Annexes depending on the category to which the vehicle belongs as set out in Article 2.
F2Article 3a
1
The installation of side-facing seats shall be prohibited in vehicles of categories M1, N1, M2 (of class III or B) and M3 (of class III or B).
2
Paragraph 1 shall not apply to ambulances or to vehicles listed in the first indent of Article 8(1) of Directive 70/156/EEC.
3
Paragraph 1 shall further not apply to vehicles of category M3 (of class III or B) of a technically permissible maximum laden mass exceeding 10 tonnes in which side-facing seats are grouped together at the rear of the vehicle to form an integrated saloon of up to 10 seats. Such side-facing seats shall be fitted with, at least, a head restraint and a two-point belt with retractor type-approved in accordance with Council Directive 77/541/EEC7. The anchorages for their safety belts shall comply with Council Directive 76/115/EEC8.
This exemption shall have effect for five years from 20 October 2005. It may be extended if reliable accident statistics are available and there has been further development of restraint systems.
Article 4
The Member State which has granted type-approval must take the necessary measures to ensure that it is informed of any modification of any part or characteristic referred to in F1Annex II, 2.2, Annex III, 2.3 or Annex III, 2.4, as applicable. The competent authorities of that State shall determine whether fresh tests should be carried out on the modified vehicle and a fresh report drawn up. Where such tests reveal failure to comply with the requirements of this Directive, the modification shall not be approved.
Article 5
Modifications which are necessary to adapt the provisions of F1the Annexes to take account of technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 13 of Directive No 70/156/EEC.
Article 6
1
By 1 March 1975, the Member States shall adopt and publish the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive and shall immediately inform the Commission thereof.
They shall apply these provisions from 1 October 1975.
2
As soon as this Directive has been notified, the Member States shall ensure that any draft laws, regulations or administrative provisions which they intend to adopt in the field covered by this Directive are communicated to the Commission in sufficient time for the latter to submit its comments thereon.
Article 7
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.