Added 17/04/07 - The EU law relating to Frontal Proection Systems (Bull Bar Law)

17/04/07 - The EU law relating to Frontal Proection Systems (Bull Bar Law)

New laws have been introduced stating what you can and can't fit to the front of your Land Rover. It is due to be enacted this summer. We have tried to provide you with some information that will help you consider your choices when it comes to choosing equipment for the front of your Land Rover. You may like to study the legislative documents for yourselves, in fact we recommend it. There is a couple of websites below showing the information.

Summary

- Winch Bumpers and Winch Mounts are still permitted. Bumpers that are fitted with extra structures that are designed to provide protection to the front of the vehicle may place this in doubt. But always check with your vehicle's insurer before fitting any accessories.
- A-Bars or Bull Bars can no longer be fitted to the front of a vehicle. If you are fitting a 'supplementary protection system' to your vehicle, that is to say a structure that is in addition to the vehicle's original bumper, it must have been tested and type-approved by the manufacturer.
- Existing A-Bars and Bull Bars do not have to be removed. Also, you as the vehicles owner/driver cannot be prosecuted. The responsibility lies with the distributor/supplier of the item.

Swinton Press Release17/04/2007
Bull bars banned by new EU law
New European road safety legislation is being introduced in a bid to cut the number of deaths and serious injury caused by bull bars on some 4x4 vehicles.
Estimates suggest that more than 900 UK and 12,000 European pedestrians and cyclists are killed every year and more than 9,000 and 290,000 respectively are seriously injured.
The new laws are set to come into force on 25 May 2007 and will make it illegal to sell bull bars – popular on many 4x4 vehicles - which do not meet strict EU directives. It will therefore effectively ban popular bull bars in the UK and anyone caught selling them to British motorists may face a spell behind bars.

The new legislation requires Frontal Protection Systems (FPS) to enhance the safety of all vehicles and applies to products either fitted as original equipment or sold via the aftermarket.
According to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) it will be impossible for the traditional wrap around metal bull bars to meet the strict new standards and just one UK manufacturer, Endura FPS, is known to have developed a system that complies with the requirements of the new legislation.

http://www.swinton.co.uk/press/article.php?id=107

The paragraph below was taken from the following website
http://www.endura-fps.com/technical_information.html
"The manufacture and sale of Metal “Bull Bars” and none compliant Frontal Protection Systems that do not conform to the requirements of 2005/66/EC for pedestrian protection will be illegal from 25th May 2007. A U.K. distributor or dealer infringing upon this directive will be convicted under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (No. 1803 CONSUMER PROTECTION) which carries a maximum £20,000 fine and /or 12 months in prison."
http://www.frontalprotectionsystems.eu/