Local garages and repairers retain Euro-protection (Christchurch Liberal Democrats)

Local garages and repairers retain Euro-protection

June 1, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by Sir Graham Watson MEP

Independent garages and repairers are celebrating today after the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to stand up for small businesses in the face of large car manufacturers and ensure a level playing field in the motor vehicle sector.

European competition rules, known as MVBER, require manufacturers to allow independent garages access to the parts and information they need to make repairs. This protection is a lifeline to many small businesses that would otherwise be squeezed out of the market, to the detriment of consumers and the environment.

The MVBER rules are set to expire this month, and some feared they would not be replaced. However, following a campaign led in large part by Right to Repair and supported by South West Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson, the European Commission decided to renew the Regulation.

Watson was delighted with the news;

"We received Commission assurances on this issue last year, but it is great to see them in black and white. This news means that your local independent garage can continue to offer a competitive service for many years to come.

"This is just another example of how the EU regulations that are smeared by the likes of UKIP, actually support small businesses and cut costs for consumers like you and I."

On May 5, the European Parliament endorsed the proposal, but also called upon the Commission to monitor the implementation of the rules. Watson has also called for vigilance on the part of independent repairers;

"In 2007, the European Commission was forced to take action against four manufacturers for withholding technical information. I urge any garage owners who feel they are being treated unfairly to come forwards, so we can ensure the spirit of the Regulation is upheld."

Ends.

Editors Notes

The independent repair market provides an important local service to motorists, often charging half the hourly rate of franchised dealer. The UK has a particularly high number of independent garages and repairers.

The Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER) concerns competition in the motor industry and contains measures enabling independent garages and repairers to access the technical information and parts they need to conduct repairs. It also ensures that these garages are allowed into networks of authorised repairers providing they meet common standards.

The Commission undertook a planned review of the legislation, and following an "effects-based approach", they presented plans to keep the parts that are working well and remove unnecessary or ineffective regulations. Tragically, Eurosceptics seized upon this and claimed that the Commission planned to scrap the legislation, leaving many fearing massive price rises for car owners and the closure of small businesses. It was also feared that the environment would suffer as a result of motorists traveling further to maintain their cars.

However, in an Evaluation report the Commission criticised many aspects of the Regulation but singled out measures on access to parts and information as highly successful and worth keeping.

In 2007, the Commission demonstrated their commitment to the spirit of the legislation by adopting four decisions that legally bound Daimler, Chrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat to commitments to provide technical information about car repairs to all independent garages in the EU.

However, many were still concerned, and the Right to Repair group (www.r2rc.co.uk) launched a campaign to ensure protection continued. Graham was also contacted by many concerned constituents and addressed a forum of small garage owners in Dorchester in May 2009.

He communicated the concerns raised to the Competition Commissioner through a Parliamentary Question (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2009-3664+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN). The replied put on the Parliamentary record the assurance that whatever changes were made to the Regulation, independent garages and repairers would enjoy continued protection with regards information, parts and the right to repair.

The European Commission honored that commitment today.

Christchurch Liberal Democrats