FUTURE LEGISLATION
Page 41
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
UK
• The Vehicle Inspectorate options for the future— Consultation on the privatisation of HGV Test Stations. Operator Licensing—Consultation on simplifying the 0-Licence system and changes to the system in Northern Ireland. Also review of fee structure.
• Paying for Better Motorways. Green paper proposing point of use charges for motorway/trunk roads.
• Load Security—revision to Code of Practice.
• Amendments to Food Hygiene Regulations—review of temperature control requirements.
• Waste Management licensing—Regulations awaited for licensing by Local Authorities of waste handling and treatment facilities. Due to be implemented Oil 1 May 1994.
• New Driver Safety: Proposed measures to reduce accidents involving newly qualified drivers, including retesting after conviction for certain traffic offences and incorporating an extended driving test (see EC initiative on theory lest below).
• MoT Scheme Review
• Storage and Carriage of spare petrol— H&SE proposals to revise conditions under which petrol can be stored without need for a Petroleum Spirit Licence.
• Dangerous Goods Transport: H&SE proposals for revision of UK dangerous goods legislation to align with ADR agreement, as required by proposed EC directive.
• Review of UK Domestic Driver's Hours Legislation • Driving Test Fees—proposals to increase fees for all tests booked from 1 April 1994, with the fee for a weekday LGV/PCV test increased from 260 to 262.
EC Legislative Initiatives
• Vehicle weights and dimensions—harmonisation throughout EC • Commission proposal for a Council Directive on protection of animals during transportation. Specifies, inter-alia, resting, feeding and watering times and minimum space allowances for certain animals.
• Second generation tachographs—incorporation of/replacement loy computerised records.
• EC Directive on Food Hygiene—includes designation of vehicles carrying bulk foodstuffs. Adopted 14 June 7993. Implementation in UK anticipated Autumn 1994.
• Dangerous Goods—Appointment of Risk Prevention Officers by companies involved in pocking, loading, unloading or storage of dangerous goods.
• Carbon tax on fossil fuels—agreement yet to be reached by EC Governments although dated introduction originally planned for end 1992.
• Safety and Quality assurance scheme for operators of road tankers and tank containers carrying dangerous goods—to be developed as a European Standard on similar basis to B55750 and with voluntary participation.
• Dangerous Goods—Harmonization of dangerous goods transport regulations—proposed directive to align domestic requirements with ADR Agreement.
• Driving Test/Driver Licensing—Extension to incorporate a theory test, staged testing and lowering of LGV threshold in line with 2nd EC Directive on driver licensing • Working Time Directive—minimum rest periods for staff but transport activities are exempt. • Safety for Transport Activities—proposed EC Directive on minimum safety and health requirements. • Road Transport Taxation—Council of Ministers decision on minimum VED rates, road user charges and fib• eralisation of cabotage operations.