EUROPA

SUMMARY

This Regulation establishes rules concerning the type-approval of motor vehicle towing devices *. It forms part of the implementation of the Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles.

Types of vehicles concerned

This Regulation applies to vehicles of category M and N, namely:

• motor vehicles designed and built for passenger transport having at least four wheels;
• motor vehicles designed and built to transport goods having at least four wheels.

Requirements for towing devices

Manufacturers have an obligation to equip vehicles with a towing device. Towing devices must be able to withstand a tractive and compressive static force equivalent to at least half the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle.

The Regulation also establishes test procedures to check compliance of devices.

Provisions for EC type-approval

The vehicle manufacturer must submit an application for EC type-approval to the competent authority. This application must contain certain information, namely:

• the make and type of the vehicle;
• the technically permissible maximum laden mass declared by the manufacturer;
• a drawing or photograph of the chassis/area of the vehicle body showing the position, construction and mounting of the towing device.

If the competent authority considers that the vehicle satisfies all of the requirements concerning towing devices, it shall grant EC type-approval and issue a type-approval number pursuant to Directive 2007/46/EC.