IAAF and MEPs discuss type approval proposals

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has recently hosted a meeting involving the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee to discuss the type approval framework revisions for motor vehicles.

With IMCO sending its committee to the UK on a fact-finding mission, IAAF chief executive Wendy Williamson, IAAF president Lawrence Bleasdale, GEA chief executive Dave Garrett and Figiefa’s Neil Pattemore met with a party of MEPs including IMCO chair Vicky Ford MEP and, rapporteur and MEP for West Midlands’ Daniel Dalton, to discuss the ongoing review of the Commission’s proposals.

The Working Party on Technical Harmonisation (Motor Vehicles), comprising Council experts, is set to assess the proposal and it is now preparing the Council’s internal position with discussions expected to continue.

The meeting allowed influential UK automotive aftermarket associations and federations, such as the IAAF, to have a say on the suggested regulation reform before plans and legislation are cemented in law.

The proposal for a regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, systems, components and separate technical units intended for vehicles would repeal and replace the current framework, Directive 2007/46/EC.

While the existing framework focuses on technical standards, the new proposal also features market surveillance, meaning an even wider range of standards will be enforced.

Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive said: “It was an extremely productive meeting with all those involved contributing effectively and discussing the issue at hand in great detail.

“It is our goal to secure and protect the future of the independent aftermarket and therefore we used this opportunity to highlight our thoughts on the newly proposed regulations. As long as the UK continues to be a part of the European Union, the UK will continue to adopt the current legislation in place.”