National air quality certificates in Member States

3.10.2017

Question for written answer E-006194-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Wim van de Camp (PPE)

In recent years, several Member States have introduced restricted traffic zones in inner cities for passenger cars. Car access to these zones is only legal with a national air quality certificate visible on the front window, e.g. the Crit’Air eco-vignette (France), the Umweltplakette (Germany) or the Umwelt-Pickerl (Austria).

These zones affect all passenger cars, including those registered in other Member States. When driving to a Member State with restricted traffic zones, drivers need to inform themselves about those traffic zones in advance and, if they wish to access them, purchase the respective national certificate. If not, they risk paying a fine.

A certificate from one Member State is not valid in another Member State, even though they all serve the same purpose and are generally based on the EURO emission standards.

Drivers who frequently drive to other European countries and their urban areas are hence required to have several stickers on their front window, in addition to the toll stickers that may also be required.

To what extent are these national air quality certificates hindering the freedom of movement?

Has the Commission looked into the possibility of introducing one pan-European air quality certificate that would be valid in all restricted traffic zones within the EU?