EU to oversee refrigerant testing in Mercedes dispute

Tests stem from Mercedes' refusal to use the new air conditioning refrigerant in its new vehicles to conform to the EU's new mobile air conditioning (MAC) rules

The European Commission is set to oversee the tests of a new air conditioning refrigerant conducted by the German government's vehicle agency, the KBA, reports Reuters. It is planning to offer independent technical support to find out whether the R1234y refrigerant is as dangerous as Daimler suggests. A spokesperson for Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani told the news service, "The main objective will be reassuring manufacturers and the consumers that all means were invested to ensure the principles of objectivity and transparency in the risk assessments."