19. 12. 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 371/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/97/EEC of 10 November 1992 amending Directive 70/157/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the permissible sound level and the exhaust system of motor vehicles THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (%), In cooperation with the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (*), Whereas measures should be adopted with the aim of progressively establishing the internal market over a period expiring on-31 December 1992; whereas the internal market will comprise an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital will be ensured; Whereas the European Parliament has already called on the Commission to submit a proposal in 1992 laying *down the maximum permissible noise limits taking account of the noise disturbance thresholds defined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Devel- opment (OECD); Whereas Council Directive 70/157/EEC (*) lays down limit values for the sound level of motor vehicles; whereas these limit values were reduced for the first (") OJ No C 193, 24.7. 1991, p. 3. (*) OJ No C 135, 18. 5. 1992, p. 182 and Decision of 28 October 1992 (not yet published in  the Official Journal). (*) OJ No C 49, 24.2. 1992, p. 7. () OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 16, as last amended by Directive 89/491/EEC (O] No L 238, 15. 8. 1989, p. 43). time by Directive 77/212/EEC (*) and for the second time by Directive 84/424/EEC (*); whereas these reductions were particularly severe in the case of motor buses, motor coaches and lorries, amounting to approxi- mately 10 decibels (dB (A)); Whereas Council Directive 70/157/EEC is one of the . separate directives of the EEC type-approval procedure established by Council Directive 70/156/EEC of 6 February 1970 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehlcles and their trailers (°); Whereas the Council, in adopting Directive 84/424/EEC amending Directive 70/157/EEC, decided that the provisions of the Directive would later be reviewed on a proposal from the Commission; whereas the proposal from the Commission was based on studies and research concerning possible further legislative measures taking account simultaneously of all  the main aspects of Community rules in the motor-vehicle sector, in particular those relating to safety, environmental protection and energy conservation; Whereas the pfot.cction of the public against noise ~ pollution requires additional suitable measures to reduce still further the sound level of motor vehicles; whereas such measures must take account of the technological advances to be applied; whereas enough time must consequently be allowed for their implementation after adoption of this Directive so that the technological advances, at present at the prototype stage, can be applied to series production; whereas the limit values currently apphcable to heavy goods vehicles took cffect only from 1 October 1989; (*) OJ No L 66, 12. 3. 1977, p. 33. (9 OJ No L 238, 6. 9. 1984, p. 31. () OJ No L 42, 23. 2. 1970, p. 1, as last amended by Directive 87/403/BEC (OJNoL 220 8 8. 1987, p. 44).