FUTURE LEGISLATION
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• International Transport The French authorities are planning to introduce new requirements (in addition to the CMR regulations) for drivers to carry documentation tracing the details of a vehicle's load and testifying to the employment relationship between driver and operator.
• MoT testing: A bill to give practical effect to the computerisation of the MoT testing scheme for cars and light vans is before the House of Lords.
• ABS braldng systems: EU directive requirements to extend the use of ABS systems to all vehicles larger than cars and car-derived vans will be subject to national consultation later this year.
• Underrun protection: The European Commission has published proposals for the fitting of underrun bumpers to new vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW.
In Second-generation tachographs: A framework regulation was approved by EU ministers in 1998. Technical specification and operational requirements are being finalised and agreed by member states; introduction in new vehicles could begin early in 2002.
• Working Time Directive: Application of the rules to the road transport sector is still under discussion. No agreement yet on specific rules for drivers, but social affairs ministers have agreed to apply the main directive to exclude non-mobile employees.
• Prohibition of asbestos in brake linings: The DOT has issued papers seeking views on proposed new regulations on the specifications for road vehicle brake linings.
• immigration regulations: The government has prepared a Code of Practice consultation document explaining how civil penalties will be applied against operators carrying clandestine entrants into the UK.