Publications Archive

With the European Electronic Toll Service (EETS), the EU Commission wants to ensure that electronic toll collection systems become interoperable EU-wide. In cep’s view, the removal of legal requirements and the additional options for EETS providers facilitate the latter’s market entry. This creates a broader range of cross-border interoperable solutions.

The EU Commission is aiming to bring in a new registration and monitoring system for the CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption of new lorries and buses. This means additional bureaucratic obligations for vehicle manufacturers and registration authorities. The obligation to publish sensitive data weakens the competitiveness of European vehicle manufacturers on markets outside the EU.

The EU Commission wants to harmonise road-use charges in the EU. In cep’s view, extending the scope of the Road Charging Directive could prevent distortions of competition. The proposed rules on the imposition of road-use charges for cars are, however, in breach of the principle of subsidiarity.

The EU Commission wants to improve the qualifications of professional drivers of lorries and buses and amend the corresponding Directive. In cep’s view, a more precise definition of the vehicles whose drivers are exempt from the Professional Drivers Qualification Directive, will help to create a level playing field.

An EU certification scheme for aviation security screening equipment – e.g. metal detectors or body scanners – intends to overcome fragmentation of the internal market. This will be based on EU type-approval recognised in all Member States.

With a strategy for low-emission mobility, the EU Commission intends to help reduce CO₂ emissions and air pollutants caused by transport. In cep's view, the Commission's proposed measures are largely unsuitable for reducing these emissions caused by transport in a manner which is effective and ensures "technology neutrality".

The EU Commission has proposed a change to the Directive on the registration of persons on board passenger ships. Reporting obligations will be adapted to new technological developments so that rescue authorities have immediate access to important personal data in an emergency.

A coordinated EU "position" for the forthcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly increases the likelihood that the concerns of European airlines will receive greater consideration at the Assembly. This is the conclusion reached by cep in its analysis of the EU Commission's proposal for a Decision to limit CO₂ emissions in international aviation.

The initial steps by the EU towards regulating remote-controlled drones – provisions on design, production, maintenance and operation – contribute to aviation safety and increase legal and planning certainty. The European Commission should also submit similar proposals for autonomous aerial drones.

EU regulations on the type-approval of motor vehicles will be implemented more effectively and the market surveillance of motor vehicles already in service will be improved. For this purpose, the European Commission has proposed a Regulation. Nevertheless, it will give rise to additional costs both for consumers and manufacturers.