GERMANY ENACTS BAN ON CHIP-TUNING MODIFICATIONS

The German government has notified the automotive technical approval services in Germany that, effective immediately, they are prohibited from approving engine-management software (“chip tuning”) modifications. The government has cited lack of knowledge on the effects these modifications have on exhaust emissions, as well as other vehicle systems, such as braking and steering.

Unofficially, the technical services are suggesting as a temporary measure to use the current tests utilized by the technical services to test aftermarket engine-management hardware modifications and engine tuning in general (headers, valves, engine swaps).

This recommendation would involve the generation of a test report (short of a product approval) and then consumers would be required to take this test result and apply for a “one-off approval” for that particular vehicle.

SEMA members are encouraged to contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org for additional details.