Problematic policy with regard to car roadworthiness testing

17.11.2015

Question for written answer E-014820-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anders Primdahl Vistisen (ECR)

In Denmark, car safety and roadworthiness testing centres are subject to rules and regulations (e.g. concerning impartiality and suitability) laid down by the Danish Transport Agency under paragraph 3 of the Public Administration Act.

Those rules and regulations stipulate, for example, that such test centres cannot also operate as ordinary car repair centres, since there is a potential economic conflict of interest in that the repair centre can repair the defects identified by the test centre during the roadworthiness test.

A new Danish chain called Bilsyn Plus has come up with a concept whereby a test centre rents space within a car repair centre and then the repair centre trains a mechanic so that he or she can also carry out roadworthiness testing. The result of this is a combined car testing and repair centre, in direct contravention of the rules in Denmark.

Bilsyn Plus claims that this concept is permissible in line with an EU ruling involving Portugal. The Danish Transport Agency will not provide this EU ruling.

Can the Commission provide it?