Proposed by the Commission in January 2016, the new rules represent a complete overhaul of the so-called car type approval framework.

Axar.az reports citing NewEurope.

The European Commission welcomed the agreement reached on May 29 by EU Member States on its legislative proposal to ensure that car manufacturers comply strictly with all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.

Proposed by the Commission in January 2016, the new rules represent a complete overhaul of the so-called car type approval framework: the system, which allows cars to be placed on the market.

“Almost two years into the emissions scandal, we continue to hear of new allegations, revelations and investigations,” Internal Market and Industry Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska said.

“It is high time that we have a credible, watertight car type approval system in place. We owe it to our citizens just as we owe it to car manufacturers which did not resort to cheating,” she added.

The Commission said the EC proposal for a Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles aims to ensure more independent vehicle testing and more checks on cars already in circulation.

The proposal also foresees greater EU supervisory powers over national authorities, test centres and manufacturers, including the possibility for the Commission to impose fines on manufacturers, the Commission said, adding that it also includes an obligation on car manufacturers to grant relevant authorities access to their emissions software protocol.

Following progress in the European Parliament, the Council agreement paves the way for the start of so-called trilogue negotiations with a view to a common agreement. The Regulation will complement other important steps taken by the Commission, such as the introduction of more robust and realistic testing methods for measuring both nitrogen oxides (NOx) and CO2 emissions from cars.