European Commission seeks to fine OEMs, withdraw test centre licences as part of stiffer type approval regulations

Plans to "raise the quality and independence of vehicle testing".

The European Commission has revealed a draft of new rules that would tighten up the type approval process for new vehicles, reports the Financial Times (FT). The new rules include undertaking spot checks on vehicles, the ability to order recalls and impose penalties on automakers of up to EUR30,000 (USD32,611) per vehicle for failure to comply with regulations. The plan would also give the Commission the power to "suspend, restrict, or withdraw" licences given to vehicle testing centres, or to fine them, if investigations show that vehicles are not compliant.