On 2 March, the European Parliament’s inquiry committee, EMIS, began its investigation into breaches of EU rules on car emission measurements. The committee is tasked with carrying out a thorough investigation of the VW scandal. However, it has already been indicated that certain members of the committee will not allow the investigation to put Europe’s car industry under pressure.

FIA Region I Director General, Jacob Bangsgaard, said: “The EMIS inquiry should bring full transparency to the roots of the scandal, avoid political infighting and deter any repetition of this kind of cheating. There are numerous technologies that can make both gasoline and diesel engines cleaner. It is the role of politicians to investigate what went wrong and ensure that cleaner systems are deployed for the benefit of society at large.”

European Parliament committees of inquiry are set up on an ad hoc basis to investigate alleged contraventions of Union law or alleged maladministration in the application of Union law. Based on its findings, the Committee report can address recommendation to the EU or member states. Its functioning is close to that of a national court.

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Notes to editors

About FIA Region I
The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body representing 112 Mobility Clubs and their 38 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind, the FIA Region I work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring. www.fiaregion1.com