Revision of the Directives of the Roadworthiness Package

04/09/2025

Background

This opinion aims to analyse how an enhanced and more effective Roadworthiness Package can help better enforcement of road safety in the EU, improve the functioning of the internal market and protect Europeans from fraudulent malpractices.

According to the European Commission, the main objectives of the revision are: (i) improve road safety, (ii) reduce air pollutant emissions, and (iii) facilitate the free movement of goods and people.

The new rules are expected to take into account the growing presence of electric vehicles and adapt to emerging technologies. Other measures envisage digital vehicle registration and periodic testing certificates as well as simplification of cross-border data sharing, and a better protection of citizens.

Key points

The EESC:

considers road safety a top priority, with the overarching goal of achieving zero road casualties by 2050. Protecting life, reducing the number of injuries and preventing damage to people, goods and infrastructure are essential components of this effort. Road safety is not only a matter of technical standards but also of social responsibility and good governance, and it must lie at the core of sustainable mobility strategies.
stresses the need for a systemic approach which, in addition to improving the technical characteristics of vehicles, also enhances the training of operators in the sector, improves the quality of road infrastructure and ensures integrated and participatory governance of the safety system.
calls on the Commission and the Member States to lay down support measures to ensure that adapting to the new rules does not exacerbate social inequalities, particularly when it comes to low-income households and micro-enterprises.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/853

Opinion type: Mandatory

Referral: COM(2025) 179 final 2025/0096 COD

COM(2025) 179 final 2025/0096 COD

COM(2025) 180 final 2025/0097 COD

Rapporteur: Giulia Barbucci (Group II - Italy)

Date of adoption by section: 4 September 2025

Result of the vote: 58 in favour, 0 against, 2 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 17-18 September 2025

Result of the vote: 96 in favour, 3 against, 0 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu

Albert Precup

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 9326

E-mail: albert.precup@eesc.europa.eu