ETO on tour in Brussels -Protect the sme's of the tuning industry finds support in Brussels 2007

Following the recent ETO/MIA/SEMA lunch debate at the 2007 Autosport Show in Birmingham, ETO carried on their European roadshow to Brussels. The ETO (European Tuning Organization) spent two days meeting with Parliamentarians on the legislation and was asked to speak at a meeting in the Parliament on recommendations for shaping the legislation from the perspective of the tuning industry.

ETO Treasurer Mr. Peter van Mol (Belgium) presented the industry's views at the luncheon.  Mr. van Mol, ETO Vice-President Konstantinos Papantriantafillou (Greece), as well as ETO member of the board Linda Spencer (USA) and ETO General Secretary Andrea Pinkerton along with other ETO executives met with other key MEP's from the various political groups to present our industry's views.
 
Six points that ETO urged the legislators to reflect in their work on article 31:

•    First, ensure that Article 31 is governed by the principles of transparency, maintenance of free competition in the automotive aftermarket and be designed to not unduly burden small businesses which make up the backbone of our industry.
 
•    Second and more specifically, involve the independent aftermarket stakeholders throughout the process.  The legislation calls for products to be regulated through a technical committee and the European commission.  The industry seeks to be consulted so that any decisions taken by the panel have the benefit of input from our industry

•    Third, add a Product to the List Only Where there is a Demonstrated Need.   Ensure a thorough impact assessment is carried out prior to the suggestion to include a part or equipment on the list. The obligation to prove a “demonstrated” safety risk should replace the current vague wording of just “taking account of available information on the seriousness of the risk”.   Specific technical requirements and the test procedures shall be determined before an aftermarket part or equipment is included into the list.

•    Fourth, include provisions in the legislation to ensure that vehicle manufacturers make available to independent parts producers technical information necessary to obtain an authorization under Article 31.

•    Fifth, provide Equal Treatment – If a product is included on the regulated list all manufacturers of that product should be treated equally.  Only those parts which are already covered by a system-type approval with respect to a vehicle, or parts which are already type-approved as a separate technical unit, should not be re-submitted to an authorisation.

•    And sixth, the legislation should be written so as to avoid unintentionally banning or limiting the use of specialty parts for motorsport and/or off-road use.

A new draft of Article 31 has been drafted. It is this version which will be considered by the Parliament.  The latest draft includes a number of major improvements and includes safeguards and mandates our industry's consultations during the implementation of the legislation.  The latest draft also includes a provision to protect the sale of parts for motorsport use.

ETO is the European umbrella association for the specialty products industry.  Six national associations – from France, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Germany and one international association are working together as part of the ETO to represent this important industry.   The specialty equipment industry- or as it is often called - the tuning industry- employs thousands of Europeans and generates billions in tax Euros.  The ETO represents firms who manufacture, distribute and promote products which enhance the performance, look or comfort of a vehicle.     

Our industry plays a key role in devising products which makes vehicles safer and more environmental friendly.  Just a few such products are high performance brake systems, specialty suspension systems affording better stability and aftermarket wheels and tires which can provide better and optimized grip. Many of these products are then incorporated by the vehicle manufacturers into the next generation of vehicles.