ESC compulsory in Europe from 2011

 
On 10 March 2009, Members of the European Parliament voted for a compulsory introduction of ESC in all new types of vehicles from 1 November 2011, and for all new vehicles from 1 November 2014. This is earlier than originally foreseen in the Commission's proposal (COM (2008) 316 final). Advanced emergency braking (AEBS) and lane departure warning systems (LDWS) are also to be made compulsory on lorries. MEPs resisted the Commission's proposal to install such systems on other vehicles, because the systems were devised for lorries and are not suited to other vehicles such as private cars.

The consolidated amended text of the report by Andreas Schwab MEP, reflects a first-reading agreement and was adopted by 610 votes to 34 with 20 abstentions in Strasbourg. The new regulation will be easier to apply and easier for consumers and industry to understand.  It replaces around 50 existing directives on ordinary tyres, all-weather tyres and snow tyres, the design and manufacture of cars in general and the use of modern technology on cars. The regulation is directly applicable in the Member States and reflects car safety standards harmonised by the United Nations.

Following the vote, Mr Schwab stated: "We have succeeded in improving road safety in Europe, in particular we achieved the early introduction of Electronic Stability Control Systems for all vehicles, and in general, new technologies shall be pushed ahead faster,.... and to set better safety standards and lower sound limits in future years and thus improve public health and safety by reducing harmful road traffic noise, and promoting cleaner and safer car technology".
 

  
For further information:
- adopted text, report Andreas Schwab MEP   pdf (318 KB)

- European Commission, proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, COM (2008) 316   pdf (164 KB)