EEC asked for den! standard
Page 20
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THE EEC COMMISSIM has come under pressure ti draw up common rules oi the Cold Filter Pluggim Point (CFPP).
National rules in this are vary widely and are made
quate in the majority of cases claims a report submitted tt the European Parliament ii Strasbourg by five MPs.
For example, the statutorl level of protection in France i:
minus five degrees, in Ger many minus 18 degrees anc in Ireland minus nine degree! — all insufficient to comba recent temperatures which have sunk below minus 2( degrees.
The Parliament's repor says that these shortcomingu immobilise diesel-enginec vehicles in the extremely colc conditions which frequent!) obtain in certain regions oi the EEC.
"Such a situation is detrimental to all road haulagc operations and in particular tc the transport of perishablc goods," the report adds.
"It is regrettable that users, essentially road hauliers, arc obliged to cover the cost of purchasing expensive antifreeze additives which come in a wide range of makes of extremely variable quality".
The MEPs propose that common rules should be drawn up for all EEC countries which would result in the laying down of an identical anti-freeze factor.
But an EEC Commission official told CM: "This would be difficult to achieve owing to the wide differences in climate across Europe. Long distance drivers in the haulage industry who know they are going to a cold region must use their judgment.