Having regard  to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Having  regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1).43917

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2).

Whereas the technical requirements with which motor vehicles must comply   pursuant  to  national  laws  relate inter alia to safety belt anchorages;   

Where as those requirements differ from one Member State to another; where as it is therefore necessary that all Member States adopt the same requirements, either in addition to or in place of their existing rules, in order,  in  particular,  to  allow  the  EEC  type-approval  procedure,  which was the subject of Council Directive 70/156/EEC of6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type approval  of motor  vehicles  and  their  trailers (3),  to  be  introduced  in respect of each type of vehicle;

Whereas common requirements for the interior fittings of the passenger compartment, the layout of the controls, the roof, the backrest and rear part  of the  seats  were  laid  down by  Directive  74/60/EEC (4);  whereas common requirements on interior fittings relating to the behavior of the steering mechanism in the event  of impact were laid down by Directive 74/297/EEC (5); whereas common requirements concerning the strength of seats  and  their  anchorages  were  laid   down  by  Directive  74/408/ EEC (6);   whereas   other   requirements   will   be   adopted   subsequently concerning interior fittings, and in particular safety belts, head restraints and the identification  of controls;

Whereas  approximation  of the  national  laws relating  to motor  vehicles entails  recognition  by  the  Member  States  of  the  checks  carried  out  by each of them on the basis of the common requirements; whereas, for it to operate effectively, such a system calls for the implementation of these requirements  by  all  of  the  Member  

States with effect from the same date, 

 HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

 Article 1 

▼M4

This Directive applies to anchorages for motor vehicle safety belts intended for adult occupants of forward or rear-facing seats. 

 ▼M1

 Article 2

For the purposes of this Directive, ‘vehicle’ means any motor vehicle in categories M and N as defined in  ►M4  Annex II A   ◄ to Directive 70/ 

  (1)      OJ No C 5, 8. 1. 1975, p. 41. 

(2)      OJ No C 47, 27. 2. 1975, p. 45. 

(3)      OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1. 

(4)      OJ No L 38, 11. 2. 1974, p. 2. 

(5)      OJ No L 165, 20. 6. 1974, p. 16. 

(6)      OJ No L 221, 12. 8. 1974, p. 1. 

 ▼M1 

156/EEC intended for use on the road, having at least four wheels and a maximum design speed exceeding 25 km/h. 

No  Member  State  may  refuse  to  grant  EEC  type-approval  or  national type-approval of a motor vehicle on grounds relating  to the anchorages for  safety  belts  if  these  anchorages  comply  with   the  requirements  laid down in ►M4   the