After the adoption of the proposal on the type-approval of Heavy Duty Vehicles with respect to their emissions by the European Parliament in last December, the European Council just voted in favour of the “Euro VI” legislative text on June 8th 2009. The adoption of the Regulation by the European institution representing member states brings a conclusion to the “political part” of the piece of legislation.

As it was intended by all decision-makers and stakeholders involved, the Regulation introduces tighter emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter from trucks and buses. The new legislative act requires a reduction of emissions from heavy duty vehicles of NOx by 80% and particulate matter by 66% compared to the Euro V stage as from 31 December 2012.
Moreover, the Right to Repair Campaign members mostly welcome the inclusion in the Regulation of a requirement that vehicles' on-board diagnostic information and vehicle repair and maintenance information be made available through websites in a standardised format.

This format still has to be determined by the “Technical part” of the legislation that will focus on technical details to implement the general principles adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council. Under the auspices of the European Commission, a technical committee of stakeholders (including members of the R2RC) will aim at developing the format under which the trucks and busses repair and maintenance information will be made available to all aftermarket operators.
Further than providing fair conditions of competition among all actors, the access to repair and maintenance information is crucial to maintain Heavy Duty vehicles and to ensure their compliance, during their entire life cycle, with high environmental standards.
Next step in the process: the “Technical part” procedure that will determine the standardised format of repair and maintenance information has already begun and the adoption of a final text is expected by April 2010.

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