Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

CHAPTER III U.K. ACCESS TO VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

Article 6 U.K. Manufacturers' obligations

1. Manufacturers shall provide unrestricted and standardised access to vehicle repair and maintenance information to independent operators through websites using a standardised format in a readily accessible and prompt manner, and in a manner which is non-discriminatory compared to the provision given or access granted to authorised dealers and repairers. With a view to facilitating the achievement of this objective, the information shall be submitted in a consistent manner, initially in accordance with the technical requirements of the OASIS format(1). Manufacturers shall also make training material available to independent operators and authorised dealers and repairers.

2. The information referred to in paragraph 1 shall include:

(a) an unequivocal vehicle identification;

(b) service handbooks;

(c) technical manuals;

(d) component and diagnosis information (such as minimum and maximum theoretical values for measurements);

(e) wiring diagrams;

(f) diagnostic trouble codes (including manufacturer specific codes);

(g) the software calibration identification number applicable to a vehicle type;

(h) information provided concerning, and delivered by means of, proprietary tools and equipment;

and

(i) data record information and two-directional monitoring and test data.

3. Authorised dealers or repairers within the distribution system of a given vehicle manufacturer shall be regarded as independent operators for the purposes of this Regulation to the extent that they provide repair or maintenance services for vehicles in respect of which they are not members of the vehicle manufacturer's distribution system.

4. The vehicle repair and maintenance information shall always be available, except as required for maintenance purposes of the information system.

5. For the purposes of manufacture and servicing of OBD-compatible replacement or service parts and diagnostic tools and test equipment, manufacturers shall provide the relevant OBD and vehicle repair and maintenance information on a non-discriminatory basis to any interested component, diagnostic tools or test equipment manufacturer or repairer.

6. For the purposes of the design and manufacture of automotive equipment for alternative fuel vehicles, manufacturers shall provide the relevant OBD and vehicle repair and maintenance information on a non-discriminatory basis to any interested manufacturer, installer or repairer of equipment for alternative fuel vehicles.

7. When applying for EC type approval or national type approval, the manufacturer shall provide the type approval authority with proof of compliance with this Regulation relating to access to vehicle repair and maintenance information and to the information referred to in paragraph 5. In the event that such information is not yet available, or does not yet conform to this Regulation and its implementing measures at that point in time, the manufacturer shall provide it within six months from the date of type approval. If such proof of compliance is not provided within that period, the approval authority shall take appropriate measures to ensure compliance.

The manufacturer shall make subsequent amendments and supplements to vehicle repair and maintenance information available on its websites at the same time they are made available to authorised repairers.

Article 7 U.K. Fees for access to vehicle repair and maintenance information

1. Manufacturers may charge reasonable and proportionate fees for access to vehicle repair and maintenance information covered by this Regulation; a fee is not reasonable or proportionate if it discourages access by failing to take into account the extent to which the independent operator uses it.

2. Manufacturers shall make available vehicle repair and maintenance information on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis, with fees for access to such information varying in accordance with the respective periods of time for which access is granted.

Article 8 U.K. Implementing measures

The measures necessary for implementation of Articles 6 and 7, which are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, by supplementing it, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(3). This shall include the definition and updating of technical specifications relating to the way in which OBD and vehicle repair and maintenance information shall be provided, with special attention being paid to the specific needs of SMEs.

Article 9 U.K. Report

Not later than 2 July 2011, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the operation of the system of access to vehicle repair and maintenance information, with particular consideration being given to the effect on competition and the operation of the internal market and the environmental benefits. The report shall consider whether it would be appropriate to consolidate all provisions governing access to vehicle repair and maintenance information within a revised framework directive on type approval.

(1)

The ‘OASIS format’ refers to the technical specifications of OASIS Document SC2-D5, Format of Automotive Repair Information, version 1.0, 28 May 2003 (available at: http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/download.php/2412/Draft%20Committee%20Specification.pdf) and of Sections 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7 and 3.8 of OASIS Document SC1-D2, Autorepair Requirements Specification, version 6.1, dated 10.1.2003 (available at: http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/autorepair/200302/pdf00005.pdf), using only open text and graphic formats.