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The DTI Regulations are available as SI 2001 No 1701 and the requirements of the Directive entered into force in July. Equipment suppliers have an option of complying with the Directive from 3 July but must comply after 3 January 2002. At time of writing, the DTI has appointed four notified bodies (AVT, BSI, MIRA and EMC Projects) to provide evaluations before equipment can be placed on the market - and for future production. More notified bodies will be appointed. The Vehicle Certification Agency will enforce the requirements on behalf of the DTI. Other Member States are not so advanced and a Commission meeting to progress implementation has been postponed from July to November. The CEA has provided critical comments for the draft Commission guide to the Directive. Publication of this document is awaited. The Regulations are available from HMSO and a DTI guidance booklet on the Regulations (URN 01/774) is on the DTI web site (www.dti.gov.uk).
ENGINE EMISSIONS Difficulties continue regarding the proposals for Stage III engine emission levels to amend Directive 97/68/EC. Emission levels, fuel quality, introduction dates and test methods are inter-dependent problems. The Commission has recognised this and has issued invitations to tender for a feasibility study of Stage III emission levels of off-road diesel engines. They are also seeking to review possible technologies to control particulate emissions of spark-ignition engines and the banking and averaging system.
PHYSICAL AGENTS DIRECTIVES The Directive to control vibration in workplaces is still being considered by the European Parliament (EP). Industry in general remains concerned about the impact of the requirements. For CEA members, limits on whole-body vibration exposure, which will affect working practices and equipment sales, are a particular concern. The CEA has been lobbying directly and via CECE to explain that limits are not appropriate as there is no evidence linking whole-body vibration and exposure level. At least the EP is listening. A number of CEA members are actively involved in discussions with MEPs and various other industry groups are lobbying. Final agreement is unlikely to be before the autumn. The proposal on noise in the workplace that will amend existing requirements has moved surprisingly swiftly. The Swedish Presidency has concluded discussions at its Council working group (11 June) and an agreed text is being passed to the European Parliament. The CEA has supported the HSE line to require evidence of a need for change before considering new requirements. This has not been achieved, but some compromise has been agreed compared to the stringent original (January) text. In particular, the proposal to have an exposure level limit of 85 dB has eased back to 87 dB. However, ear protection is still essential at levels above 85 dB.
ROAD REGULATIONS Progress is being made on the construction equipment industry's campaign to seek harmonised road regulations across Europe for off-road equipment that is occasionally used on roads. The Commission has appointed a consultant to study the problem. The final report and recommendations on the possibility of a Directive are to be made by the end of the year.
VISIBILITY The CEA view that it is necessary to assess the practical problems of enhancing operator visibility before launching into action proposed by the HSE has been largely successful. Several CEA members have passed visibility test data to the ISO working group responsible for updating ISO 5006. A draft of the revised version of ISO 5006 is now being studied and a further meeting between the CEA and the HSE is envisaged.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL MATTERS - CONTACT: Bill
Osborne Tel: +44 (0)20 8665 5727 - Fax: +44 (0)20 8665 6447
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