Stricter and more independent vehicle testing proposed

The European Commission has proposed a major overhaul of the EU type approval framework to prevent a repeat of the VW emissions tampering scandal.

Under current rules, national authorities are solely responsible for certifying that a vehicle meets all requirements to be placed on the market and for policing manufacturers' compliance with EU law. The new proposals will make vehicle testing more independent and increase surveillance of cars already in circulation.

The new proposed regulation will reinforce the independence and quality of testing, modifying the remuneration system to avoid financial links between technical services and manufacturers, which could lead to conflicts of interest and compromise the independence of testing.

It proposes to introduce an effective market surveillance system to control the conformity of cars already in circulation by introducing spot-checks.

What’s more, there will be greater European oversight over the type approval system. The Commission will have the power to suspend, restrict or withdraw the designation of technical services that are underperforming and too lax in applying the rules, imposing financial penalties to deter manufacturers and technical services from allowing non-compliant vehicles onto the market.

Read more