FIGIEFA, the European federation of the independent aftermarket, based in Brussels, has announced that the European Commission (EC) has recently amended the ‘Euro 5’ emissions regulation, by passing a new law that regulates access to the electronic spare parts identification data, to all of the motor trade. Businesses that will benefit from this new law are independent garages, independent parts wholesalers, manufacturers of diagnostic tools and parts suppliers.

    The new law obligates the vehicle manufacturers, to release electronic data that allows an exact identification of replacement car parts for any vehicle. Given the every growing complexity and variation of modern vehicles and the growing parts variety and diversity, even within one model or series, independent aftermarket operators have found it increasingly difficult to produce and sell parts and offer other services.
    Vehicle manufacturers have spare parts catalogues with their parts numbers, known as OE numbers. OE numbers are linked to the vehicle by means of the Vehicle Identification Number  (VIN). Should a spare part be required for a specific vehicle, all the vehicle manufacturer has to do is enter the VIN into the computer, click a button and the right spare part will be found quickly and easily. Now this information will be available to the rest of the motor trade, making it quick and easy to provide and obtain the correct part in the independent aftermarket.
    For further information and a video, please visit www.yes2euro5.eu.