[NEWS]
Vehicles not requiring type approval will have their standard
CEN/TC354 working group meets in Brussels
Vehicles such as motocross bikes, quads and minimotos do not require to undergo type approval process since they are not intended for use on public roads. However their success requires for a standardized set of rules harmonizing their safety related technical specifications. The CEN, the European body in charge of developing the standards in Europe, set a dedicated Committee with the aim of drawing standards that will bring the following benefits:
- Increase European citizens' safety, and especially children's by defining and harmonizing the minimum technical requirements regarding the essential health and safety requirements of the Machinery Directive;
- Improved consumer information in particular in terms of vehicle operation and correct use.
- Support market surveillance activities in checking the compliance to the Machinery Directive and in minimizing interpretation differences.
- and open a European wide market by drafting documents recognized and applicable in all CEN member's countries, giving advice to manufacturers, importers and distributors.
Members of TC 354 during their meeting in Brussels on December 18
Triggered in 2006 by a request of the European Commission to the Member States on so-called mini-motorbikes, ACEM has been involved in the creation of CEN TC 354 from the beginning. The motorcycle industry is participating to the discussions through their national standard institutes. Minimotos and off-road motorcyles, quads and karts also fall under the scope of TC354.
The national standards organisations of Belgium, Italy, the UK, Finland, Spain, Germany and Cyprus are participating to TC 354 which is chaired by Jacques Compagne, ACEM Secretary General.
While awaiting for a specific European standard ACEM has established a set of construction and safety requirements for off-road motorcycles which is followed by every ACEM manufacturer. This standard represents the state-of-the art of off-road motorcycles. In the course of 2009 CEN/TC354 WG1 (Minimotos and off-road motorcycles) will submit a first draft of the standard.
The European Committee for Standardization or Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN), is a private non-profit organisation whose mission is to foster the European economy in global trading, the welfare of European citizens and the environment by providing an efficient infrastructure to interested parties for the development, maintenance and distribution of coherent sets of standards and specifications. CEN acts as a business facilitator in Europe, removing trade barriers for European industry and consumers. Through its services it provides a platform for the development of European Standards and other technical specifications. 
[INDEX]
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NEW STANDARD FOR VEHICLES NOT REQUIRING TYPE APPROVAL