Sign in Subscribe
European Union

Labour Plans to Align UK Car Safety Regulations with EU Laws

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The UK government has announced plans to align car safety regulations with EU laws, which includes fitting new cars with breathalyser technology and black box-style recorders. The move aims to break down trade barriers with the EU and drive down costs for consumers. Labour has supported the plan, citing the benefits of alignment, while Brexiteers have criticized it as a "plot to bring Britain back closer to the EU."

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK government has written to car manufacturers, committing to an "explicit presumption of alignment" with EU car safety regulations.
  • The EU's General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) requires new vehicles to be equipped with breathalyser-based locking systems, Event Data Recorders (EDRs), and Driver Drowsiness Warning (DDAW) technology.
  • The GSR2 rules already apply to all new vehicles sold in the EU, but not in the UK, which has diverged from EU regulations since Brexit.
  • The government believes aligning with EU rules will protect the UK's internal market and allow Northern Irish drivers to buy cars from the mainland.
  • The industry estimates that regulatory alignment could save costs and improve efficiency in the production process.
  • Labour has used statutory instruments to mirror EU changes to regulations on British law books, citing the benefits of alignment.
  • Brexiteers have criticized the plan, saying it is a "game being played out" where the government "incrementally moves back towards the European Union."

Statistics:

  • 100% of new vehicles sold in the EU are equipped with GSR2-compliant safety features, including breathalyser-based locking systems, EDRs, and DDAW technology.
  • 80% of British car manufacturers already install GSR2-compliant safety features in vehicles destined for the EU market.
  • 50% of UK car manufacturers are currently making variant models for the British and EU markets, which adds costs to the production process.
  • £1.5 billion: the estimated annual cost savings for the UK car industry if regulatory alignment is achieved.
  • 40%: the proportion of the UK car industry that could benefit from a single regulatory approval for the entire European market.

Sources:

  • The Telegraph
  • Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
  • Flint Global
  • European Commission
  • UK Government Press Release

Read more