European Commission issues guidance on policing manufacturers' emissions

The European Commission has issued guidance on how EU members should be policing carmakers which could lead to legal action against countries that fail to clamp down on cheating of diesel emissions regulations.

The 11-page guidance document is not legally binding, but could outline legal action against member nations that don’t crack down on health-harming vehicle emissions.

Defeat devices are banned by EU law, but there is an exemption when the need for the device is justified to protect the engine against damage or accident and to ensure the safe operation of the vehicle.

EU commissioner for the internal market Elzbieta Bienkowska said: "Cheating cannot be tolerated. Today we are offering guidance to member states on how to enforce the law better.

“A large number of car manufacturers use strategies that increase emissions outside of the test cycle.”

The guidance will enable EU member states to take a position on the legality of the emission strategies revealed by car manufacturers during their national investigations in the wake of the Volkswagen (VW) emissions scandal.