• ETO accepts Dutch Association as a new member
• Presidency of the previous ETO President Renato Gallo extended by another year
• New Vice President is Mathias R. Albert from the VDAT
  
• Members of the board confirmed 

The ETO has recommitted itself at its recent General Assembly to continuing to play an “active role in representing the industry at the national and international regulatory levels as these bodies consider proposals which will have a direct affect on the specialty equipment industry” noted Renato Gallo, reelected ETO president.

In its first year of operation the ETO worked closely with the European Parliament to include impact assessment and other measures to ensure that legislation, developed at the European Union level protects consumers, while also taking into account the needs and importance of small businesses in general and the specialty equipment industry specifically.   “The resulting legislation  minimizes additional burdens on the SMEs active in the aftermarket, while creating a mechanism to regulate products for which demonstrated safety or environmental issues may arise” noted Peter Van Mol, the ETO Treasurer.  

At the recent General meeting the Dutch Dutch association RAI Autovak was welcomed into the ETO.  “There are now nine national and international tuning associations working together to represent the interests this important industry, which translates into billions of tax euros generated and tens of thousands of jobs” said Mathias R. Albert, the new ETO Vice President.

“We are happy with the approval of our membership to the E.T.O. It offers the Dutch suppliers of tuning products and special equipment the opportunity to be informed on first hand and to participate in discussions on important matters. We are also looking forward to contribute to E.T.O. in order to influence the market situation in favour of our members” noted Mr. Rommerts from RAI Autovak.    

Among the issues the group is currently providing input on at European and UNECE levels  are article 31 of the directive 2007/46/EC, TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems), ESC (electronic stability control), pedestrian safety, issues relating to competition right and Co2, Regulation 59 (aftermarket exhaust systems), Regulation124 (aftermarket wheels).