The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (“the 1986 Regulations”) in the following ways—

(a) the insertion at the end of regulation 40(2) (gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances) of some new alternative standards (ECE Regulation 67 or 67.01) (regulation 3(2));

(b) a new regulation 40(2A) to provide that a vehicle which first used gas as a fuel for its propulsion on or after 13th November 1999 shall comply with the provisions of Schedule 5 (gas systems) or ECE Regulation 67.01 (regulation 3(3));

(c) amendments to Table II (ECE Regulations) in Schedule 2 by the insertion of new items 22A and 22B (which include references to ECE Regulation 67 and 67.01) (regulation 4);

(d) a new paragraph 4(4)(pipelines) in Schedule 5 (gas systems) to permit flexible hose exceeding 500mm in length to be used in a high pressure pipeline if it complies with Annex 8 of ECE Regulation 67.01 and is so approved and marked in accordance with that Regulation (regulation 5(3));

(e) a new paragraph 4(4A) in Schedule 5 which imposes a requirement that in the case of a motor vehicle which first used gas as a fuel for its propulsion on or after 1st January 2004 a flexible hose of any length used in a high pressure pipe line shall comply with the requirements of Annex 8 of ECE Regulation 67.01 and be so approved and marked in accordance with that Regulation. Such a hose shall be no longer than is reasonably necessary (regulation 5(3));

(f) “electrically operated valve” is now defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 (regulation 5(2)). There is a new paragraph 8(2) (valves and cocks) of Schedule 5 (gas systems). The changes relate to the operation of an electrically operated valve where a fixed gas container supplies no gas system other than a gas propulsion system if there is compliance with specified technical requirements (regulation 5(4));

(g) regulation 6 amends the definition of “the emissions publication” in Schedule 7B to the 1986 Regulations so as to refer to the most recent (ie the ninth) edition of the publication entitled “In-Service Exhaust Emission Standards for Road Vehicles”. The publication specifies, with respect to vehicles with spark ignition engines, the maximum permitted carbon monoxide content of exhaust emissions at idling speed and the limits for the ratio of air to petrol vapour entering the combustion chamber, in relation to each of the vehicle models named in the publication.

Copies of the emissions publication can be obtained from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA (telephone number 0117-954-3277).

In relation to the amendments specified in Regulations 3, 4 and 5, a Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and copies can be obtained from the Department for Transport, Zone 2/01, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR (telephone number 020-7944 2065). A copy has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.

Copies of the ECE Regulations which are relevant to these Regulations can be obtained from the Stationery Office.