Brussels, 09/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 8 May, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted a decision to introduce a mandatory EU-wide system to handle emergency calls sent automatically by cars or triggered manually by their occupants in the event of a car accident (eCall). The final adoption of the legislative act by the Council follows an agreement reached at first reading with the European Parliament. The Parliament held its vote at the plenary session on 15 April 2014 (see EUROPE 11061 and 11070). Member states must have the infrastructure to handle eCall in place at least six months before the type-approval requirements for the corresponding in-vehicle device start to apply, no later than 1 October 2017. (LC)