Car Emissions: Member States must enforce the rules

“This shows that the responsibility for enforcement has been spread out throughout the European Union, a reflection of the fragmented nature of our enforcement structures. We need streamlining”, said the EPP Group’s Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector Committee of Inquiry, Krišjānis Kariņš MEP.

His comment follows today’s decision by the European Commission to launch an infringement procedure against the Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Spain and the United Kingdom in the context of the emissions scandal now being investigated in the European Parliament.

“The Committee of Inquiry’s work has already highlighted the loopholes in the existing legislation and the lack of enforcement”, continued Kariņš.

Although there are failings on the side of the Member States, it is only right to recall that the European Commission and the European Parliament also played an important role in drafting and passing legislation that allowed the car manufacturers to cheat on car emissions.

“This infringement procedure comes at a strange time. The Parliament’s conclusions will be discussed over the next few months in the Committee of Inquiry and there will be criticism of all parties involved - including the European Commission”, concluded Jens Gieseke MEP, Co-Rapporteur of the committee Report.