Lucy Anderson (S&D). – Madam President, the Dieselgate scandal shows that consumers and the environment are the main victims of a car type-approval regime that cannot be relied upon and that has been subject to systematic abuse. So I welcome the fact that European Union law will be updated to make type-approval rules stronger and more effective.

The new rules will require Member States regularly to check cars circulating on their roads for compliance with relevant environmental and safety standards. And the European Commission will carry out audits of national car type-approval authorities and have the possibility to initiate EU-wide recalls. It will also be able to challenge the validity of inspection systems and issue fines of up to EUR 30 000 per non-compliant car.

I wanted the new rules to be effective sooner given the evidence of abuse uncovered. However, I am nevertheless pleased that they will take effect before the end of 2020, and so during the transition period currently proposed following the planned exit of the UK from the EU. But it is very disappointing that the initial proposals to break the financial link between car makers and test laboratories were dropped and that the idea of a powerful new agency providing tough oversight of the car industry across Europe was also rejected.