31st of March, 2026
EU Adopts Delegated Act Revising Annex X of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 – Major Step for Vehicle Data Access and Fair Competition
The European association Automotive Mobility Europe (AME) welcomes the revision of Annex X of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 as a milestone for fair competition and non-discriminatory access to vehicle data in the automotive aftermarket. The update reflects the growing importance of software-defined vehicles and sets new standards for access to vehicle-related information.
“Discrimination-free access to vehicle data is the backbone of a competitive market – and ultimately the foundation of affordable mobility,” emphasizes AME.
At the core of the reform is a future-proof regulatory framework for access to Repair and Maintenance Information (RMI) and On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) data. The rules strike the right balance between safeguarding the rights and competitiveness of the independent repair sector and allowing manufacturers to implement measures that protect the cybersecurity integrity of vehicles.
Independent repairers rely on timely and secure access to OBD data, technical information, multi-brand diagnostic tools, and replacement parts. Clear rules, enforceable safeguards, and effective compliance monitoring are therefore essential to prevent undue restrictions on access.
Manufacturers will face significantly expanded information obligations, ranging from detailed diagnostic and software data to calibration information for advanced driver-assistance systems and requirements related to high-voltage battery management.
In an increasingly software-driven vehicle landscape, professional repairs are only possible with comprehensive access to data, software, and calibration information. The EU reform provides the necessary legal clarity to enable this.
“A selected group of stakeholders have held extensive discussions over 2 years on these topics and are satisfied with the balanced proposal presented by the Commission. It ensures cybersecure vehicle access while providing the necessary information that enables our members to carry out repairs,” said Jan-Willem van der Linden, Technical Director of AME.
A strong focus is placed on data quality and usability: in the future, information must be made available in machine-readable formats, with the same level of detail as manufacturer-internal data, and via standardized interfaces.
The regulation also promotes open, non-proprietary solutions for software access, control unit reprogramming, and component activation – a key lever for ensuring fair market competition.
The reform is complemented by the establishment of a so-called OBD Forum, which will oversee further implementation. AME will be actively involved in this Forum to be able to monitor the rollout and actively contribute to shaping the relevant processes.
We call upon the Commission to start up discussions on enforcement of the Regulation, the coding of spare parts and guidance on fair and reasonable pricing.
The delegated act is scheduled to enter into force in early June 2026.
About Automotive Mobility Europe (AME)
Automotive Mobility Europe (AME) is a European industry association advocating for fair competition, innovation, and open access to vehicle data across the automotive ecosystem.
