‘Negligent’ diesel pollution filter manufacturer fined

Hampshire-based European Exhaust and Catalyst Ltd (EEC) was fined £3,000 on 28 October, after a probe by Market Surveillance Unit of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Portsmouth Magistrates Court added costs of £10,460 and a victim surcharge of £170.

EEC supplied diesel particulate filters for use in Euro 5 diesel cars and vans, though they met only the earlier Euro 4 standard and did not come with the mandated legal marking: “ILLEGAL TO SUPPLY FOR VEHICLES APPROVED TO EC REGULATION 715/2007” - meaning those approved to Euro 5 and 6 standards.