The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation has announced that the European Parliament has decided to adopt the Compromise Package on the Vehicle Type-Approval Framework Regulation during the Plenary session that was held in Strasbourg, France, on the 19th of April 2018.

Prior to the vote, Rapporteur Dalton (ECR/UK) said that this legislation was a strong EU wide response to the Dieselgate scandal and will make cars safer and cleaner, ensuring at the same time that a Diesel scandal can’t happen again.

“Consumers also rely on an independent and healthy aftermarket for local and good quality services. This has been a key issue for me as lead negotiator. I am pleased to have achieved improved access to manufacturers’ information for independent repairers. This makes the market stronger for the benefit of consumers,” Dalton said.

A few examples of what the adopted text includes are: the continued possibility to communicate with the vehicle’s technical information/data via the standardised on-board diagnostic connector, when the vehicle is stationary and in motion (for read-out only), which is now better clarified; the information needed for preparation of vehicles for roadworthiness testing has been included into the RMI definition, as many consumers bring their vehicles to a workshop for preparation before undergoing the periodic inspection; and an adaptation of the format of the RMI to the state-of-the-art, which means the technical repair and also the spare parts identification information can also be obtained in an electronically processable form.

The decision to adopt the Compromise Package on the Vehicle Type-Approval Framework Regulation was final in the European Parliament and now, the text is expected to be voted by the Council of Ministers without debate in a future meeting.