Press release: Car taxation: the Commission takes the next step in the infringement procedure against Romania

The Commission has taken the second step in the infringement procedure against the Republic of Romania regarding its car registration tax, which discriminates against second-hand cars brought into the Romanian territory from other Member States. Further to the letter of formal notice sent by the Commission in spring 2007 (see IP/07/372) and to the unsatisfactory reply of the Romanian authorities, the Commission has issued a reasoned opinion, formally requesting Romania to change its legislation. If the relevant national rules are not amended in order to comply with the reasoned opinion within a two-month deadline, according to article 226 of the EC Treaty the Commission may decide to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.