Spain in trouble with Brussels for not fining Volkswagen over 'dieselgate' scam
Friday, December 9, 2016 @ 4:50 PM
BRUSSELS has filed disciplinary action against Spain and seven other European Union member States for failing to hold Volkswagen accountable for the 'dieselgate' scandal.
Spain has legislation in place allowing for fines or other forms of legal redress in the event of manufacturers breaking national and international laws – a requirement for all EU member States in the form of a European Directive which must be incorporated into each country's national legal system.
But the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Greece have not done so, meaning they are facing disciplinary action from the European Commission.
Other countries which do have such legislation in place but failed to apply it after Volkswagen was found to have been doctoring emissions readings are Germany, Luxembourg – and the UK, which will not escape a formal reprimand by having voted to 'Brexit', and will still be liable even if the situation is unresolved once the 'divorce' from the EU is complete.
Spain, likewise, did not apply the penalties despite its laws providing for this action and its having known about the diesel emissions scam since September 2015.
The country will not immediately be fined or otherwise punished by the EU – the first step is for the European Commission to send the national government a letter asking for explanations as to why it had not taken action against Volkswagen, despite knowing that 10.5 million cars and vans worldwide were affected by nitrous oxide (NOx) emission levels being masked by 'cheat' software.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com