UEIL has always closely followed the developments related to the EU legislative framework that regulates the conditions for the distribution of vehicles and spare parts (including lubricants) in the EU. UEIL has played an important role in the consultation for the adoption of a revised Block Exemption Regulation for motor vehicle distribution and repair which entered into force in May 2010 (Commission Regulation (EU) No 461/2010). The Regulation is now up for review in view of its expiry on 31 May 2023. An evaluation was launched on 3 December 2018 and is still in progress.

The purpose of the evaluation is to gather facts and evidence on the functioning of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, notably by verifying the extent to which its objectives are fulfilled. The evaluation will be based on the following criteria: effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value. Upon conclusion of the evaluation phase in May 2021, the Commission will decide on the future exemption regime that will apply after May 2023.

A public consultation, in which UEIL participated, was launched on 12 October 2020 and ran until 25 January 2021. UEIL believes that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation provides an adequate legislative framework to guarantee a level playing field between all operators and prevent anticompetitive behaviors. However, we believe the evaluation of the MVBER also provides a unique opportunity to improve a few aspects of the competition rules in the automotive aftermarket, including regarding the access to technical information. You can find UEIL’s position on this file here.

In the last years UEIL has also 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. Moreover, the European Union has published its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability as part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition in October 2020. The strategy envisages a number of actions through 2021-2024 which involve the revision of REACH and other regulations, such as  the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). The new strategy does not only aim to better protect citizens and the environment but also to boost innovation for sustainable and safe chemicals. The HSE Committee closely follows any discussion and developments related to the implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy and in particular developments related to the restriction of PFAS, sustainability-by-design criteria and the definition of ‘essential uses’ for chemicals, among others.

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