The Brussels Secretary of State for Road Safety, Bianca Debaets, has commissioned a study by Brussels Transport on particulates for car running on diesel fuel, and potential fraud relating to such particulate filters. She indicated yesterday, “On basis of the results, I envisage allocating the technical inspection centres financial support, so that they benefit from the best technology possible” in identifying this fraud.
A survey by VRT (The Flemish public service broadcaster) revealed on Monday that Belgian car inspections did not have the capability to spot diesel vehicles, the particulate filter of which had been removed.
Given that everyone can check their vehicle in any of the three regions of Belgium Ms Debaets (Flemish Christian Democrats) observes that an inter-regional consultation would provide a uniform response to particulate filter fraud.
On the verge of this line of thinking, the Flemish Minister for Transport Ben Weyts (New Flemish Alliance) had already put forward his solution. He says in the case of suspecting an absent particulate filter during a technical check, the answer might be to refer the car owner to a certified distributor to obtain a certificate, before the vehicle inspection is formally passed. M. Weyts also argues for stricter European standards.
The Brussels Times