ETRMA welcomes EU guidance on vehicle data act, calls for ‘sector-specific’ leg

Brussels – The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) has welcomed the European Commission’s 'guidance on access to in-vehicle data', but stressed the need for “sector-specific” legislation to ensure fair competition across the mobility sector.

Published 12 Sept, the guidance clarifies definitions of data and services under the EU’s Data Act.

In a statement on the same day, ETRMA said the guidance “marks an important step in ensuring that Europe’s mobility ecosystem can benefit from fair, secure and innovation-friendly access” to vehicle data.

The association has long called for clear rules to guarantee a level playing field between vehicle manufacturers and other service providers.

However, ETRMA said the guidance was “not a substitute for the much-awaited sector-specific legislation, which would further clarify these issues in the context of the mobility ecosystem.”

The association also warned against relying solely on an omnibus approach under the Data Act, arguing that it could “undermine years of work on ensuring that stakeholders get access to data.”

Without safeguards, it said, the omnibus could create “legal uncertainty, fragmented implementation across member states, and ultimately jeopardising the level playing field."

ETRMA reiterated that complementary measures would help deliver innovative mobility solutions, support the circular economy and contribute to EU goals on decarbonisation and road safety.

It recalled its earlier input to the 'automotive sector interpretation guide of the Data Act', noting the consensus-building work already carried out with other stakeholders. (ERJ report)

A particular concern relates to human–machine interfaces (HMIs), the in-vehicle displays and controls that allow drivers to interact with digital services.

ETRMA said access to HMIs is crucial to secure user consent for data sharing in a “unified European data space.”

Such functions, it added, “shall be further supported in the context of a sector-specific regulation.”