Question for written answer E-011774-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE)

Is the answer to Question E-007556/2013 actually correct, given that the Commission seems to have a different view involving a similar case in Spain? (SG(2008) D/50925; Directive 98/34/EC; 2008/0189/E; MSG: 200800925.ES)

Can the Commission give a response to the following comments?

1. The fact that a government says that something is a document does not mean that this is also the case; only the facts can prove this.

2. The Commission claims that a registration plate can be used to identify a specific vehicle, but this is not correct. If a car changes owner, only the registration certificate (documents) is used. If the identity of a vehicle needs to be established by competent authorities, this can only be done legally using the unique VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number). Registration plates are not accepted in these legal proceedings as an official document. A registration plate is merely a representation of the registration certificate.

3. The feature of an official document, such as a registration certificate, is that it is issued by an official body. In this instance, the government actually provides the data, but the registration plate is not issued in the Netherlands by the government.

4. The Commission is also ignoring the fact that the Netherlands Government clearly announced in 2008, 2009 and 2010 that these registration plates were going to be allowed to be sold. Therefore, the abovementioned concerns did not seem to apply and nothing has changed since then.

OJ C 218, 10/07/2014