Block Exemption: lobby now
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• Eir., MP Bryan Cassidy has told the aftermarket industry to start now if it wants its voice heard on the continuation of Block Exemption, which is due for review in 1995.
Block exemption is a derogation from the Treaty of Rome which allows vehicle manufacturers to restrict spares, servicing information and diagnostic kit to its franchised dealers.
If the Block Exemption is scrapped manufacturers will be forced to supply anyone who wants to buy parts and workshop equipment on the same basis as their dealers.
The Automotive Distribution Federation, which represents suppliers to the vehicle manufacturers, is happy for Block Exemption to continue with two exceptions. Parts manufacturers should be able to sell the same parts they supply to the vehicle manufacturers direct to the aftermarket and information to diagnose vehicle electronics should be available to independent workshops.