EU Legislation
UEIL monitors and participates in the decision-making process on
several EU policy and regulatory initiatives, including the areas of
competition, waste management, chemicals, taxation, etc.
UEIL has closely followed the developments in relation to the EC Commission’s pending review of the EC Law that regulates the conditions for the distribution of vehicles and spare parts (including lubricants) in the EU (Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002). UEIL has played an important in the consultation for the adoption of a revised Block Exemption Regulationfor motor vehicle distribution and repair. The Commission only published in August 2012 its FAQ on this subject. Please see here the FAQ developed by UEIL on purchase and use of lubricants within the EU.
UEIL is also closely following EU taxation regulation like the review of the Energy Taxation Directive (to be approved in 2013) and the proposal to include lubes under the Excise Movement and Control System (negotiations in 2012 and 2013). For further information on UEIL’s position on both files and the status of the ongoing EU negotiations, please contact UEIL using our contact form.
UEIL has also closely followed the discussions in the CARS 21
group and will continue to monitor the implementation of the different
initiatives outlined in the new Commission Action Plan CARS 2020 which follows on from all the work on CARS21 and aims at
reinforcing the industry's competitiveness and sustainability heading towards
2020. According to this action plan, the Commission will set up in 2013 a
high-level process called CARS 2020, which will monitor the implementation of
the CARS 21 recommendations, as well as the measures set out in this Action
Plan. In parallel, the Commission will organise ad–hoc expert meetings on
economic and competitiveness issues for the automotive sector. For further
information on this Action Plan and UEIL’s position, please contact UEIL using our contact
form
In the last years, UEIL has monitored the REACH implementation process and review, offering support to its members especially through the Health, Safety & Environment Committee. The main aims of REACH are to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals, the promotion of alternative test methods, the free circulation of substances on the internal market and enhancing competitiveness and innovation.
To know more about EU legislation impacting the Lubricants industry please see also:
Competition
- New Block Exemption regulation and Commission Guidelines, May 2010
- Frequently asked questions on the application of EU antitrust rules in the motor vehicle sector, August 2012
Chemicals
- REACH Regulation
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA website : REACH
- UK department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: chemicals section
Taxation
Automotive