Legislation Moving Through the Parliament Has Been Amended to Include ETO-supported changes

Known as Article 31, the current version has been improved with added safeguards written into the legislation designed to protect the tuning industry. 
Only those products, which the government can clearly demonstrate to have an environmental or safety impact may be regulated, and then only after consulted with the stakeholders. Once manufactures meet the specified requirements, their products are allowed to be sold through the European Union.

The latest version of the bill also exempts products for motorsports use from the reach of the legislation.  Article 31 is scheduled to be voted on by the full parliament this Spring and then be considered by the Council of Ministers.  There is a tentative agreement of the new version by these three entities. The bill is expected to be passed into law by early summer.

The original bill could have severely curtailed car customizing and was of great concern to the European Tuning Organization, the umbrella association of specialty equipment (tuning) companies throughout Europe. The vaguely worded and open-ended legislation could have imposed great financial burdens on the industry with little or no safety or environmental benefits.  The ETO worked closely with the Parliament and the resulting bill protects an important industry of small and medium-sized businesses and a vibrant hobby while not hampering the ability to address any demonstrated safety or environmental issues which may arise.

The 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 vehicle.  For more information Article 31 or on the ETO contact andreap@e-t-o.org