The European Parliament’s IMCO committee have approved several key amendments to Vehicle Type-Approval legislation proposals, which include the aftermarket maintaining in-vehicle data access via the OBD port.

The approval follows ongoing campaigning from within the industry and also government quarters both in Ireland and across Europe, which has collectively championed the rights of the aftermarket in the fight to keep access open to the OBD port.

Crucial to the campaign were visits to independent garages made by MEPs and organised by industry bodies such as the IAAF and FIGEIFA. Autobiz also lent its support publicising  the campaign and organising a petition of Ireland’s European Union representatives.

Since it was announced that the aftermarket could lose access to the OBD port, the IAAF, in partnership with FIGIEFA, has fought against the initial proposals, arguing that a level playing field should be provided to ensure consumer freedom of choice when repairing and maintaining vehicles. Over the last 18 months, the IAAF has held meetings with MEPs and the IMCO committee to put forward the aftermarket perspective as part of this process.

Progress has already been made during this period, with over 184 amendments being approved by the IMCO, as part of the forthcoming type approval legislation, which relate to the diagnostics, repair and maintenance of vehicles. The changes, an important step towards improving the legislative framework for independent operators, followed the publication of the ‘Dalton Report’ which was produced by UK  MEP Daniel Dalton after visits to local garages.

Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive said, “We’re extremely grateful for the huge political support we have received on this issue from Daniel Dalton, in campaigning alongside us and other industry voices for the future of the independent aftermarket. Not only has the Dalton Report been pivotal in our fight but his proactive role, evident in his visit to a garage and meeting with aftermarket stakeholders, has galvanised our collaborative efforts in achieving this absolutely magnificent result we’ve been pushing for to ensure aftermarket access to the OBD port.”    

The agreement will now be submitted for final approval by the European Parliament, where it is widely assumed the result will be endorsed in the Parliament’s final voting session in April.