EU Commission to Revise Motor Vehicle Industry Regulations

The European Commission has announced plans to revise regulations governing the motor vehicle industry, effective from June 1, 2013. The new rules will fall under the same EU rules that apply to vertical agreements between companies, and will not renew the block exemption regulation for the motor vehicle industry. However, a new category exemption will cover after-sales services, spare parts, repair, and maintenance. The Commission's draft regulation is available for public consultation until February 10, 2010, and proposes guidelines for motor vehicle sales and repair.

Key Takeaways:

• The EU Commission will revise regulations governing the motor vehicle industry, effective from June 1, 2013.
• The new rules will fall under the same EU rules that apply to vertical agreements between companies.
• The block exemption regulation for the motor vehicle industry will not be renewed.
• A new category exemption will cover after-sales services, spare parts, repair, and maintenance.
• The Commission's draft regulation proposes guidelines for motor vehicle sales and repair.
• Independent car repair industries have complained about the difficulty in getting technical information from manufacturers.
• The new exemption regulation aims to ensure access to spare parts and guarantee free access to spare parts and repair services.

Statistics:

• 2013: Effective date of revised regulations.
• 1 June 2013: Start of new regulations.
• 31 May 2013: End of adaptation period for car manufacturers and dealers.
• 3 years: Adaptation period for car manufacturers and dealers.
• 10 February 2010: End of public consultation on draft regulation.

Sources:

• European Commission's draft regulation.
• Draft regulation available for public consultation until 10 February 2010.
• European Commission's website: http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consultations/2010_motor_vehicles/index.htm.