News from the IAAF:
One of the key pieces of legislation that the IAAF has lobbied for over the past few years has been Type Approval Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
This key piece of legislation, scheduled to be introduced in Europe from September 2020, guarantees that the OBD port remains open for repair and maintenance information and that data should continue to be made available in an electronically processable format.
But, following our departure from the EU last January, automatic adoption of this key piece of legislation could not happen without a formal consultation by the UK government.
This represents one of the first examples in our sector of new legislation being implemented following the UK’s exit from the EU. Without this legislation there would be a very real risk that these key areas would not be accessible to the independent automotive aftermarket.
We are therefore entering new territory with regards to UK legislation, as the IAAF sought clarification on a number of fronts following the Governments publication of their findings on the new type approval consultation (EU) 2018/858.
IAAF questioned the definition of on-board diagnostics (OBD) in draft regulations and requested government to be more explicit about RMI data having to be made available in a format that is processable electronically. It also asked how security-related repair and maintenance information (SERMI) would be handled.
The Department for Transport confirmed that under UK law, vehicles will be obliged to keep the OBD port open for RMI and this information must be made available in an electronically processable format. “We can confirm that the definition of OBD in Article 3(49) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 will be applied in the UK, as it is in the EU,” a statement said.
On the subject of SERMI, the department said “If the EU agree a Regulation and it applies prior to the end of the transition period, it will become part of Retained Law in the UK, possibly with some amendments to ensure it works in a UK context. If not, we will examine whether to introduce it into UK law in 2021, noting the comments received here that strongly support such introduction.”
For many years, IAAF has argued that a level playing field should be provided to ensure consumer freedom of choice when repairing and maintaining vehicles, campaigning for the provision of a standard diagnostic port.
As a result of the consultation outcome, when issuing type approvals, VCA will be legally required to act in line with the ruling and manufacturers are also obliged to comply.
Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive, said: “This is a huge step in the right direction for the independent automotive aftermarket and we’re thrilled that the legislative framework now ensures that independent operators can continue to service and maintain vehicles reliably and fairly. Not only is this good for competition, but it provides the consumer with freedom of choice when choosing where to take their vehicle for repair work.”
To read the consultation outcome in full, CLICK HERE.
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