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Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed)

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Changes over time for: Division INTRODUCTORY PART

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[F1INTRODUCTORY PART General definitions and general provisions U.K.

1. Definitions U.K.

1.1. Seating position means any location capable of accommodating one person seated who is at least as large as: U.K.
(a)

the manikin of the 50th percentile male in the case of the driver;

(b)

the manikin of the 5th percentile adult female in all other cases.

1.2. Seat means a complete structure with trim, integral or not with the vehicle body structure, which is intended to seat one person. U.K.
1.2.1. The term seat covers both an individual seat and a bench seat. U.K.
1.2.2. Folding seats and removable seats are included in this definition. U.K.
1.3. Goods means primarily any movable things. U.K.

The term goods includes products in bulk, manufactured goods, liquids, living animals, crops, indivisible loads.

1.4. Maximum mass means the technically permissible maximum laden mass as specified in point 2.8 of Annex I. U.K.

2. General provisions U.K.

2.1. Number of seating positions U.K.
2.1.1. The requirements regarding the number of seating positions apply to seats that are designed for use when the vehicle is travelling on the road. U.K.
2.1.2. They do not apply to seats that are designed for use when the vehicle is stationary and which are clearly identified to users either by means of a pictogram or a sign with an appropriate text. U.K.
2.1.3. The following requirements apply for the counting of the seating positions: U.K.
(a)

each individual seat shall be counted as one seating position;

(b)

in the case of a bench seat, any space having a width of at least 400 mm measured at the seat cushion level shall be counted as one seating position.

This condition shall not prevent the manufacturer from using the general provisions referred to in point 1.1;

(c)

however, a space as referred to in point (b) shall not be counted as one seating position where:

(i)

the bench seat includes features that prevent the bottom of the manikin from sitting in a natural way - for example: the presence of a fixed console box, an unpadded area or an interior trim interrupting the nominal seating surface;

(ii)

the design of the floor pan located immediately in front of a presumed seating position (for example the presence of a tunnel) prevents the feet of the manikin from being positioned in a natural way.

2.1.4. With respect to vehicles covered by 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 seat, and amending Directives 70/156/EEC and 97/27/EC (1) , the dimension referred to in point 2.1.3(b) shall be aligned with the minimum space required for one person in relation to the various classes of vehicles. U.K.
2.1.5. When seat anchors for a removable seat are present in a vehicle, the removable seat shall be counted in the determination of the number of the seating positions. U.K.
2.1.6. An area intended for an occupied wheelchair shall be regarded as one seating position. U.K.
2.1.6.1. This provision shall be without prejudice to the requirements of point 3.6.1 and point 3.7 of Annex VII to Directive 2001/85/EC. U.K.
2.2. Maximum mass U.K.
2.2.1. In the case of a tractor unit for semi-trailer, the maximum mass to be considered for classifying the vehicle shall include the maximum mass of the semi-trailer borne by the fifth wheel coupling. U.K.
2.2.2. In the case of a motor vehicle that can tow a centre-axle trailer or a rigid drawbar trailer, the maximum mass to be considered for classifying the motor vehicle shall include the maximum mass transferred to the towing vehicle by the coupling. U.K.
2.2.3. In the case of a semi-trailer, a centre-axle trailer and a rigid drawbar trailer, the maximum mass to be considered for classifying the vehicle shall correspond to the maximum mass transmitted to the ground by the wheels of an axle or group of axles when coupled to the towing vehicle. U.K.
2.2.4. In the case of a converter dolly, the maximum mass to be considered for classifying the vehicle shall include the maximum mass of the semi-trailer borne by the fifth wheel coupling. U.K.
2.3. Special equipment U.K.
2.3.1. Vehicles fitted primarily with fixed equipment such as machinery or apparatus shall be regarded as N or O category. U.K.
2.4. Units U.K.
2.4.1. Unless otherwise stated any unit of measurement and associated symbol shall conform to the provisions of Council Directive 80/181/EEC (2) . U.K.

3. Categorisation into vehicle categories U.K.

3.1. The manufacturer is responsible for the categorisation of a type of vehicle into a specific category. U.K.

For such purposes, all the relevant criteria described in this Annex shall be met.

3.2. The approval authority may request from the manufacturer appropriate additional information with the aim of demonstrating that a vehicle type needs to be categorised as special purpose vehicle in the special group ( SG Code ).] U.K.

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