Last September, the Volkswagen (VW) emissions scandal erupted after the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that the German car manufacturer had fitted so-called defeat devices in some of its cars.
The piece of software enabled VW’s diesel engine cars to detect when they were being examined, resulting in a computer protocol kicking in that would alter the engine’s performance, allowing the car to cheat emissions tests.
In light of this revelation, the European Commission has proposed a major overhaul of its approval framework in order to ensure that car manufacturers adhere to EU safety, environmental and production requirements.
The new proposal aims to improve the certification process by making vehicle testing more independent. The Commission wants to make testing more comprehensive
“In a single market where goods circulate freely, everyone must play by the rules”, said Jyrki Katainen, vice-president for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. “The Volkswagen revelations have highlighted that the system which allows cars to be placed on the market needs further improvement. To regain customers’ trust in this important industry, we need to tighten the rules but also ensure they are effectively observed. It is essential to restore a level playing field and fair competition in the market.”
Currently, national authorities are responsible for ensuring that cars going in to the market comply with EU laws. The new proposal aims to improve the certification process by making vehicle testing more independent. The Commission wants to make testing more comprehensive and is hoping that by tightening its rules that it will prevent non-compliance within the car industry.
Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, responsible for internal market, industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: “The single market requires rigorous enforcement across sectors, including the car industry. With our proposals today, we will raise the quality and independence of vehicle testing and improve the oversight of cars already in circulation.
“This complements our efforts to introduce the most robust emissions testing procedures in the world, which we will keep refining and reviewing to ensure the strictest emissions limits are really met.”