With ABS (Antilock Braking System) and airbags now standard, the use of electronic stability systems and GPS (Global Positioning System) on the up, and the emergence of new high-tech security and monitoring equipment, the Commission has decided to harmonise European legislation on car's electrical and electronic components in a new directive.
Electronic and electrical components now control not only comfort, information and entertainment devices but even certain safety-relevant functions of vehicles, notes the Commission. As all these are connected and controlled by central units, mutual interference between the technologies that could put passenger security at risk needs to be eliminated, it says.
Moreover, international harmonisation standards have made some European testing requirements too burdensome, possibly hampering European car makers' innovation capacity.
"European car makers and their suppliers are a good example of a creative industry sector creating highly innovative products. Harmonised European legislation can facilitate this process," said Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Oli Rehn.
The directive has been adopted under the so-called 'type-approval' procedure, under which bills are passed without having to go through the entire legislative process.
