Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1787 establishes a standardized procedure for the collection of real-world fuel and energy consumption data from heavy-duty vehicles. By integrating this data collection into existing periodic roadworthiness tests, the Regulation aims to monitor the actual CO2 emission performance of vehicles throughout their operational lifetime. This framework ensures that the European Commission receives accurate, representative data to evaluate the effectiveness of emission standards while maintaining strict data protection protocols.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The Regulation is structured into four articles, supported by references to existing EU frameworks on roadworthiness and data protection. It functions as an implementing act under Regulation (EU) 2019/1242, specifically detailing the “how-to” of data retrieval.
* **Scope and Definitions:** It defines “real-world data” as the lifetime and static accumulated values extracted from on-board monitoring devices.
* **Collection Mechanism:** It mandates that, starting 1 July 2028, bodies performing roadworthiness tests must read out specific data—including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), odometer reading, and consumption data—during inspections.
* **Reporting:** Member States are required to transmit this aggregated data to the European Environment Agency (EEA) annually by 30 November, starting in 2029.
* **Data Protection:** The Regulation explicitly addresses the status of the VIN as personal data, assigning controller responsibilities to testing bodies and the EEA, and setting specific retention periods (6 months for local entities, 20 years for the EEA).
Compared to previous frameworks, this Regulation formalizes the transition from theoretical emission modeling to empirical, real-world verification, utilizing the existing infrastructure of roadworthiness testing to minimize administrative burdens.
### Key Provisions for Practical Application
For stakeholders and authorities, the following provisions are critical:
1. **Mandatory Data Points:** Testing centers must collect four specific data points: real-world consumption data, the VIN, the odometer reading, and the date of the test.
2. **Timeline:** While mandatory collection begins 1 July 2028 for vehicles registered from 1 July 2027, Member States have the option to begin voluntary collection as early as 1 January 2028.
3. **Technical Requirements:** Testing bodies must be equipped with tools capable of reading the on-board monitoring devices as specified in the related Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2161.
4. **Data Retention Limits:** The Regulation imposes strict “data minimization” rules. Local testing bodies and national authorities must delete the collected data six months after transmission to the EEA, ensuring that personal data is not stored longer than necessary for the reporting cycle.
5. **Transparency:** Controllers (testing bodies) are legally obligated to inform vehicle owners about the processing of their data in accordance with GDPR requirements (Articles 13 and 14).
**:** As this Regulation applies to the registration and roadworthiness testing of heavy-duty vehicles within the EU, it has direct implications for the transport and logistics sectors operating across the Union, including those involving Ukrainian carriers or vehicles registered in the EU by Ukrainian entities. Compliance with these technical and data-handling standards will be a prerequisite for the continued circulation and testing of heavy-duty vehicles within the European market.
