Three European aftermarket federations have joined forces in calling for changes to the European Commission’s Roadworthiness package. EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association), CECRA (European Council for Motor Trades and Repair) want amendments made to make legislation more workable, effective and compatible with the principles of free competition.

The EGEA has called for more updated technical checks, indicating that with regard to emissions the use of the On-Board Diagnostic alone, as suggested by the EU Council in its December report, is not a reliable method to monitor exhaust emissions. They state that tailpipe testing is still needed as the default method. They have also called for NOx testing to be part of roadworthiness tests.
Bernard Lycke, Director General of CECRA, has called for a European vehicle electronic information platform to reduce cross border trade in tampered cars and said that previously exempted classes of vehicles such as, trailers, caravans, two or three wheel vehicles and tractors should be included in testing to enhance road safety.

Sylvia Gotzen, Secretary General of FIGIEFA, also expressed concerns about some of the definitions used in the regulations and said that amendments were needed to ensure these could not be used as a means of excluding the use of matching quality parts.