Brussels, 23/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 20 November, members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted a declaration at the Environment, Climate Change and Energy Committee (ENVE). This declaration regrets the agreement reached by the member states in committee proceedings on 28 October, which introduces greater flexibility with regard to respecting norms governing NOX emissions during car driving trials in real conditions (see EUROPE 11421).
The decision provoked much controversy following the Volkswagen scandal, which still continues to run its course (see EUROPE 11424 and EUROPE 11423). The regions and local authorities are therefore refusing any further flexibility to European rules on limiting emissions. In this connection, they denounce any kind of tolerance that could be interpreted towards emissions manipulations, following the invalidation mechanism used by the German group. They are calling for driving trials to be introduced that guarantee genuine and reliable conditions. Finally, they also call on the manufacturers to provide clarification about their practices, in an effort to re-establish consumer trust.
In the context of the legislators, MEPs from the Greens, have been attempting to obtain the 188 signatures needed to launch a temporary investigation committee over the period of 12 months, in an effort to establish the shortcomings and responsibilities at a European level, notably at the Commission, following the recent revelations in the German press (see EUROPE 11430). They have until 26 November, the date of the Conference of Presidents, “to ensure the necessary support from MEPs from the other political groups”. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)