The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a significant ruling that strengthens access to vehicle repair and maintenance data, warning that manufacturers cannot limit information and spare parts. This time, the ruling is directed against Scania, stating that manufacturers are obliged to create a database with detailed information on the parts that can be replaced.
The CJEU's decision follows a lawsuit filed by a German spare parts association, which argued that the information provided by Scania did not comply with the obligation to provide the data necessary for the repair and maintenance of vehicles.
In its ruling, the CJEU stresses that manufacturers must make available to workshops and distributors all the information necessary for the repair and maintenance of the vehicles they produce. It also emphasises that the format of the data must allow for direct electronic exploitation, thus facilitating access to and efficient use of the information.
One of the key points of the ruling is the obligation for manufacturers to create a database containing detailed information on parts that may be replaced. This database must be easily accessible, allowing searches based on vehicle identification numbers, engine power, vehicle trim type and other relevant criteria.
The CJEU stresses that vehicle identification numbers must be included in the database and, although they do not initially contain personal information, they can become personal data if someone with access to them can identify the owner of the vehicle. In this regard, the judgment highlights that this obligation is compatible with the General Data Protection Regulation when the vehicle identification number can identify the owner and is therefore considered personal data.
This judgment follows a previous decision against FCA, consolidating the CJEU's position in defence of access to crucial information for vehicle maintenance and repair, thus establishing a significant precedent in the legal and commercial sphere of the European Union.
