Europees auto-registratiesysteem om handel in gestolen auto's tegen te gaan (en)

The Council has adopted today a Regulation to give vehicle registration authorities access to the Schengen Information System (SIS). The Commission presented a proposal to this end on 21 August 2003, following Council's Conclusions. The Regulation will contribute to better combating the theft of vehicles, by allowing public vehicles registration authorities to attain this information and to consult the SIS prior to re-registering a vehicle imported from another EU Member State.

Vice President Franco Frattini i, Commissioner responsible for justice, freedom and security, stressed that with the adoption of the Regulation two important aims are achieved at the same time. "By providing relevant authorities access to SIS, the law enforcement process will be greatly facilitated and will it become much more difficult for criminals to sell stolen vehicles in other Schengen States". "At the same time", the Vice-President continued "victims of thefts will see the chances to reclaim their lost property increased considerably" .

Background:

Data on stolen vehicles are already stored in this Europe-wide information system. Fifteen States use it and their number will increase in 2007, when a second generation of the SIS, SIS-II will be established. The Commission adopted a proposal for a SIS-II on 31 May 2005 (see IP/05/651 and MEMO/05/188 ).