Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 3/2014Show full title

ANNEX XIX Requirements regarding vehicle structure integrity

1. Requirements for the approval of a type of vehicle with regard to structural integrity

1.1. Vehicles shall be so designed and constructed as to be sufficiently robust to withstand their intended use over their normal lifetime, taking into account regular and scheduled maintenance and specific equipment adjustments clearly and unambiguously set out in the instruction manual provided with the vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer shall provide a signed statement to this effect.

1.1.1. Vehicles of category L1e-A and cycles designed to pedal of vehicle category L1e-B shall be designed and constructed as to conform with all prescriptions regarding strength and construction of front forks and frames as encompassed in standard EN 14764:2005, specifying safety and performance requirements for the design, assembly, and testing of bicycles and subassemblies intended for use on public roads.

1.1.2. Cycles designed to pedal of vehicle category L1e-B shall have a mass in running order ≤ 35 kg and shall be fitted with pedals enabling the vehicle to be propelled solely by the rider’s muscular leg power. The vehicle shall feature adjustable rider positioning in order to enhance the ergonomic posture of the rider for pedalling. The auxiliary propulsion power shall be added to the driver’s pedal power and shall be less than or equal to four times the actual pedal power.

1.2. Vehicle assembly and construction in the assembly plant(s), in particular the processes relating to the vehicle frame, chassis and/or body and the drivetrain, shall be covered by a quality assurance system to ensure that essential mechanical connections such as welds and threaded connections, as well as other relevant material characteristics, are checked and verified as appropriate.

1.2.1. The requirements of point 1.2 shall be covered by the vehicle manufacturers’ obligations regarding the conformity of production arrangements referred to in Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013.

1.3. In accordance with Annex VIII to Regulation (EU) No 168/2013, the type-approval authority shall verify that in the event of a recall due to a serious safety risk, specific analysis of vehicle structures, components and/or parts by means of engineering calculations, virtual testing methods and/or structural testing can upon request be made available without delay to the approval authority and the European Commission.

1.4. Vehicle type-approval shall not be granted if there is reason to doubt that the vehicle manufacturer is able to make available the analysis referred to in point 1.3. This doubt could relate either to the accessibility or the existence of such analysis (e.g. application for type-approval of a limited batch of vehicles from a non-established manufacturer represented by a party unlikely to have any meaningful access to such analysis).