BRUSSELS: The Euro­pean Union moved Monday to crack down on emissions cheating after the Volks­wagen “Dieselgate” scandal by giving the EU executive more powers to monitor testing and fine automakers.

The European Council of 28 member states overcame the initial objections of Germany and agreed the broad lines to reform the system for approving vehicles in Europe.

The draft now goes for negotiations with the Com­mission, the EU executive’s arm, and the European Par­liament where the auto ind­u­stry holds a strong influence.

“Above all, the objective is building trust and credibility again in the European type-approval system,” according to Chris Cardona, the economy minister of Malta, which holds the EU’s six-month rotating presidency.

The Dieselgate scandal blew open when Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 that it installed software devices in 11 million diesel-engine cars worldwide that reduced emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides when it detected the vehicle was undergoing tests.

The draft rules call for reducing the power of national authorities and empowering the European Commission to test and inspect vehicles to ensure compliance with emissions standards and respond to any irregularities.

“This will increase the independence and quality of the EU type-approval system,” the council said in a statement.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017