
Article 1 
This Regulation applies to vehicles of categories M and N as defined in Annex II to Directive 2007/46/EC.
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

((1)) ‘vehicle type with regard to vehicle access and manoeuvrability’ means vehicles which do not differ in such essential respects as:

((a)) the characteristics of running boards, access steps and handholds;
((b)) the characteristics of the reversing device.
((2)) ‘off-road vehicle (ORV)’ means a vehicle in conformity with the criteria set out in Part A of Annex II to Directive 2007/46/EC;
((3)) ‘floor entrance’ means the lowest point of the door aperture or other structure whichever of the two is higher, which a person has to clear in terms of height in order to enter the passenger compartment.
Article 3 

1. The manufacturer or the representative of the manufacturer shall submit to the approval authority the application for EC type-approval of a vehicle with regard to vehicle access and manoeuvrability.
2. The application shall be drawn up in accordance with the model of the information document set out in Part 1 of Annex I.
3. If the relevant requirements set out in Annexes II and III to this Regulation are met, the approval authority shall grant an EC type-approval and issue a type-approval number in accordance with the numbering system set out in Annex VII to Directive 2007/46/EC.A Member State may not assign the same number to another vehicle type.
4. For the purposes of paragraph 3, the approval authority shall deliver an EC type-approval certificate established in accordance with the model set out in Part 2 of Annex I.
Article 4 
National authorities shall permit the sale and entry into service of vehicles type-approved before the date referred to in Article 13(2) of Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 and continue to grant extension of approvals to those vehicles under the terms of Directive 70/387/EEC and Directive 75/443/EEC.
Article 5 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 15 February 2012.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO
ANNEX I
PART 1
Information document No … relating to the EC type-approval of a vehicle with regard to vehicle access and manoeuvrability.

The following information, if applicable, shall be supplied in triplicate and include a list of contents. Any drawings shall be supplied in appropriate scale and in sufficient detail on size A4 or on a folder of A4 format. Photographs, if any, shall show sufficient detail.

If the systems, components or separate technical units referred to in this information document have electronic controls, information concerning their performance shall be supplied.
 0.  0.1. Make (trade name of manufacturer): …
 0.2. Type: …
 0.2.1. Commercial name(s) (if available): …
 0.3. Means of identification of type, if marked on the vehicle …
 0.3.1. Location of that marking: …
 0.4. Category of vehicle: …
 0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: …
 0.8. Name(s) and address(es) of assembly plant(s): …
 0.9. Name and address of the manufacturer’s representative (if any) …
 1.  1.1. Photographs and/or drawings of a representative vehicle: …
 2.  2.6. 
Mass of the vehicle with bodywork and, in the case of a towing vehicle of category other than M1, with coupling device, if fitted by the manufacturer, in running order, or mass of the chassis or chassis with cab, without bodywork and/or coupling device if the manufacturer does not fit the bodywork and/or coupling device (including liquids, tools, spare wheel, if fitted, and driver and, for buses and coaches, a crew member if there is a crew seat in the vehicle) (maximum and minimum for each variant): …
 4.  4.6. 
Reverse: …
 9.  9.3. Occupant doors, latches and hinges
 9.3.1. Door configuration and number of doors: …
 9.3.4. Details, including dimensions, of entrances, steps and necessary handles where applicable: …

PART 2
Stamp of type-approval authority

Communication concerning:



— EC type-approval
— extension of EC type-approval
— refusal of EC type-approval
— withdrawal of EC type-approval of a type of vehicle with regard to vehicle access and manoeuvrability
with regard to Regulation (EU) No 130/2012, as last amended by Regulation (EU) No …/…
EC type-approval number: …
Reason for extension: …

 SECTION I  0.1. Make (trade name of manufacturer): …
 0.2. Type: …
 0.2.1. Commercial name(s) (if available): …
 0.3. Means of identification of type, if marked on the vehicle: …
 0.3.1. Location of that marking: …
 0.4. Category of vehicle: …
 0.5. Name and address of manufacturer: …
 0.8. Name(s) and address(es) of assembly plant(s): …
 0.9. Name and address of the manufacturer's representative (if any): …
 SECTION II  1. Additional information: see Addendum.
 2. Technical service responsible for carrying out the tests: …
 3. Date of test report: …
 4. Number of test report: …
 5. Remarks (if any): see Addendum.
 6. Place: …
 7. Date: …
 8. Signature: …

AttachmentsInformation package
Test report

Addendum
1. 

1.1. Brief description of the vehicle type as regards its structure, dimensions, lines and constituent materials: …
…

2. Vehicle type of category M1 / N1 / N2 with a maximum mass not exceeding 7,5 tonnes is / is not fitted with running boards or access steps.

3. Off-road vehicle (ORV) yes / no

4. 

4.1. Brief description of the device for reversing where this is not a function of the gearbox: …

5. Remarks: …

ANNEX II
 1.  1.1. The design characteristics of the vehicle type shall permit entry to and exit from the passenger compartment in complete safety and entrances to the passenger compartment shall be constructed in such a way that they can be used easily and without any danger.
 2.  2.1. The wheel hub, rims and other parts of the wheel shall not be deemed to be running boards or access steps for the purpose of this Regulation, except where reasons relating to construction or use preclude the fitting of running boards or access steps elsewhere on the vehicle.
 2.2. The height of the floor entrance is determined either directly from the ground surface or from the horizontal plane passing through the middle, in relation to the longitudinal direction, of the step immediately below.

PART 1 1.  1.1. The distance (A) from the ground surface to the upper surface of the lowest step, measured with the vehicle in running order on a horizontal and flat surface, shall not be more than 600 mm.
 1.1.1. However, for off-road vehicles (ORV) the distance (A) may be increased up to 700 mm.
 1.2. The distance (B) between the upper surfaces of the steps shall be not more than 400 mm. The vertical distance between two subsequent steps shall not vary by more than 50 mm. The last requirement shall not apply to the distance between the uppermost step and the floor entrance of the passenger compartment.
 1.2.1. However, for off-road vehicles (ORV) the allowed variation as indicated above may be increased up to 100 mm.
 1.3. 

((a)) step depth (D): 80 mm;
((b)) step clearance (E) (include step depth): 150 mm;
((c)) step width (F): 300 mm;
((d)) width of the lowest step (G): 200 mm;
((e)) step height (S): 120 mm;
((f)) transversal offset between steps (H): 0 mm;
((g)) longitudinal overlap (J) between two subsequent steps in the same flight, or between the uppermost step and the cab floor entrance height: 200 mm.
 1.3.1. However, for off-road vehicles (ORV) the value (F) may be reduced to 200 mm.
 1.4. In the case of off-road vehicles (ORV), the lowest step may be designed as a rung if this is necessary for reasons relating to construction or use. In such a case the rung depth (R) shall be at least 20 mm.
 1.4.1. Rungs with a round cross-section are not permitted.
 1.5. While getting down from the passenger compartment, the position of the uppermost step shall be easily found out.
 1.6. All access steps shall be constructed in such a way as to preclude the risk of slipping. In addition, access steps exposed to the weather and dirt during driving shall have adequate run-off or a draining surface.
 2.  2.1. One or more suitable handrail(s), handhold(s) or other equivalent holding device(s) shall be provided for the access to the passenger compartment.
 2.1.1. All handrails, handholds or equivalent holding devices shall be positioned in such a way that they can easily be grasped and do not obstruct access to the passenger compartment.
 2.1.2. A maximum discontinuity of 100 mm in the handhold area of the handrails, handholds or equivalent holding devices may be allowed.
 2.1.3. In the case of passenger compartment access with more than two steps, the handrails, handholds or equivalent holding devices shall be located in such a way that a person can support himself at the same time with two hands and one foot or with two feet and one hand.
 2.1.4. Except in the case of a stairway, the design and positioning of the handrails, handholds and equivalent holding devices shall be such that operators are encouraged to descend facing the passenger compartment.
 2.1.5. The steering wheel may be considered as a handhold.
 2.2. The height (N) of the lower edge of at least one handrail, handhold or equivalent holding device, measured from the ground surface with the vehicle in running order on a horizontal and flat surface, shall not exceed 1 850 mm.
 2.2.1. However, for off-road vehicles (ORV) the distance (N) may be increased up to 1 950 mm.
 2.2.2. If the floor entrance height of the passenger compartment measured from the ground surface is greater than ‘N’, this height shall be assumed as ‘N’.
 2.2.3. 

((a)) handrails, handholds or equivalent holding devices (U): 650 mm;
((b)) handrails, handholds or equivalent holding devices (V): 550 mm.
 2.3. 

((a)) gripping dimension (K): 16 mm minimum 38 mm maximum;
((b)) length (M): 150 mm minimum;
((c)) clearance to vehicle components (L): 40 mm minimum with open door.

Figure 1
PART 2 1.  1.1. Vehicles of categories M1 and N1 as well as N2 with a maximum mass not exceeding 7,5 tonnes, shall have one or more running board(s) or access step(s) if the floor entrance height of the passenger compartment is higher than 600 mm above the ground measured with the vehicle in running order on a horizontal and flat surface.
 1.1.1. However, for off-road vehicles (ORV), the distance specified above may be increased up to 700 mm.
 1.2. All running boards and access steps shall be constructed in such a way as to preclude the risk of slipping. In addition, running boards and access steps exposed to the weather and dirt during driving shall have adequate run-off or a draining surface.

ANNEX III
1.  1.1. All vehicles shall be equipped with a device for reversing which can be operated from the driver’s position.
