MEPs want compulsory ESC in Europe from 2011

On Tuesday, 2 December 2008, 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 2013. This is one year earlier than originally foreseen in the Commission's proposal for a simplier, standardised system for the type-approval of motor vehicles (COM (2008) 316 final).  Members of the Internal Market Committee approved the Commission's draft legislation with amendments when they adopted a first-reading co-decision report by Andreas Schwab by 32 votes to 10 with 7 abstentions.

Following the vote, IMCO Rapporteur Schwab was optimistic: "We are going to improved road safety in Europe by going further than the Commission. The new technologies must be pushed ahead faster".
 
The new regulation will be easier to apply and easier for consumers and industry to understand.  It replaces around 50 existing directives, is directly applicable in the Member States and reflects car safety standards harmonised by the United Nations.
 
Once adopted by Parliament (Plenary vote foreseen for March 2009) and Council, it should apply from 1 November 2011.

For further information:

- 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 (165 KB)