Brussels, 26/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - The Competitiveness Council is looking to the compulsory introduction by manufacturers of the eCall device in vehicles by 2017. On Monday 26 May, ministers adopted a general approach on a regulation in this connection, which will ultimately complete the regulation on the infrastructure for receiving emergency calls that has already been adopted by the European institutions.
Member states are demanding that manufacturers equip new vehicles with the reception system in the 36 months after adoption of the regulation. The Council also stated that the use of the data collected would not be used outside eCall operations. The general approach also provides for independent operators having access to the system, as they also would in the framework of repairs. Ministers have ensured that the eCall system is compatible with the Galileo and Egnos satellite systems. This was particularly welcomed by European Commissioner for Industry Antonio Tajani.
The United Kingdom opposed the obligation on manufacturers to equip vehicles with eCall. The Czech Republic and Austria particularly insisted on ensuring that the data protection system was not watered down.
This general approach will serve as the mandate in negotiations with the European Parliament over the next few months. Reception infrastructure through the 112 hotline is expected to be operational in member states at the earliest six months before installation of the receptors in vehicles by 2017 at the latest, under this parallel regulation. (MD)