EU: New planned regulations for on-board diagnostics and RMI

 

The EU Commission has announced its intention to issue further implementing regulation for on-board diagnostics and repair and maintenance information (RMI) for vehicles.

This initiative elucidates the cybersecurity and access control measures that vehicle manufacturers can implement for on-board diagnostic and repair & maintenance information on their vehicles.

Additionally, it establishes requirements to ensure the continued effectiveness of Article 61 of the Type Approval Regulation, considering recent technical and regulatory advancements, particularly in cybersecurity.

As a reminder, the article 61 of the Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles requires the following:

1. Manufacturers must provide independent operators with unrestricted, standardized, and non-discriminatory access to vehicle OBD information, diagnostic and other equipment, tools (including complete references), and available downloads of relevant software and vehicle repair and maintenance information. This information must be presented in an easily accessible manner as machine-readable and electronically processable datasets. Independent operators should also have access to the remote diagnosis services used by manufacturers, authorized dealers, and repairers.

Manufacturers must offer a standardized, secure, and remote facility to enable independent repairers to perform operations involving access to the vehicle security system.

1. Until the Commission adopts a relevant standard through the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) or a comparable body, vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information must be presented in an easily accessible manner that independent operators can process with reasonable effort.

Vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information must be made available on manufacturers’ websites in a standardized format, or if not feasible, in another suitable format. For independent operators other than repairers, the information must be provided in a machine-readable format that can be electronically processed with commonly available IT tools and software, allowing them to carry out aftermarket supply chain tasks.

1. However, in the following cases, manufacturers need only provide the required information promptly in an easily accessible manner upon request from an independent operator:

(a) For vehicle types covered by a national type-approval of small series vehicles as referred to in Article 42; (b) For special purpose vehicles; (c) For vehicle types in categories O1 and O2 that do not use diagnostic tools or physical/wireless communication with the onboard electronic control unit(s) for diagnostics or reprogramming; (d) For the final stage of type-approval in a multi-stage procedure where the final stage only covers bodywork without electronic vehicle control systems, and all electronic systems of the base vehicle remain unchanged.

1. The technical requirements for access to vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information, including technical specifications on provision, are detailed in Annex X.
2. Manufacturers must also provide training material to independent operators, authorized dealers, and repairers.
3. Manufacturers must ensure that vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information are always accessible, except during necessary maintenance of the information system.

Manufacturers must update and supplement vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information on their websites simultaneously with their availability to authorized repairers.

1. For the production and servicing of OBD-compatible replacement or service parts, diagnostic tools, and test equipment, manufacturers must provide relevant vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information on a non-discriminatory basis to any interested manufacturer or repairer of these components or tools.
2. For the design, manufacture, and repair of automotive equipment for alternative-fuel vehicles, manufacturers must provide relevant vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information on a non-discriminatory basis to any interested manufacturer, installer, or repairer of such equipment.
3. If repair and maintenance records of a vehicle are kept in a central database by or on behalf of the vehicle manufacturer, independent repairers must have free access to these records and be able to enter information on repairs and maintenance they have performed.

The Commission adoption is planned for first quarter of 2025.

To find out more about vehicle requirements and vehicle type approval in the EU, please do not hesitate to contact the Institute for Global Automotive Regulatory Research Directly.