EU executive on VW scandal

"The Commission's services are in contact with Volkswagen to establish the details of the recent recall of the car manufacturer's vehicles in the US.

"We are also in contact with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to learn more about the facts behind their decision.

"It is premature to comment on whether any specific immediate surveillance measures are also necessary in Europe and whether vehicles sold by Volkswagen in Europe are also affected. We are taking the matter very seriously and will update you on further developments.

"The Commission has been working intensely to develop robust procedures for the testing of emissions of vehicles. Currently NOx emissions of diesel vehicles measured on the road may in reality substantially, without any wrongdoings, exceed NOx emissions measured on the regulatory test cycle (NEDC).

"To address this gap, the Commission has been working to develop Real Driving Emission (RDE) test procedures. They replace the current laboratory based testing and will assess the emission performance of vehicles on roads. The new procedure was adopted in May 2015 by the respective regulatory committee (TCMV) and will come into force by 1 January 2016.

"The EU sets emissions limits and defines testing procedures. Member States have enforcement powers, including the possibility to recall vehicles from the market, withdraw their type approval, and impose fines if needed.

"To our knowledge, no European authority has been involved in these specific type approvals."

Lucia Caudet, European Commission Internal Market spokesperson