Total recall
TAIWAN: The emissions recall programme is operative in Taiwan since 1996. It detects vehicles that due to inherent defects in design and components fail, while on road, to meet the standards. The Environment Protection Administration of Taiwan (Taiwan EPA) organises surveillance tests of five sample vehicles of a particular engine family. If three or more vehicles fail or the average emissions of the tested vehicles exceed standards, the manufacturer is notified. Another confirmatory test of 10 samples is conducted. If the emissions levels exceed norms all vehicles with that engine are considered nonconforming and manufacturers are asked to submit a survey of the defects and a voluntary remedial plan. Once the manufacturers have remedied a designated percentage of vehicles, samples are again tested. If problems persist manufacturers revise plans. If samples fail tests yet again manufacturers are penalised.
INDIA: The automobile manufacturers woke up from slumber when the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, an advisory body of the Supreme Court of India, recommended ban on two-stroke engines in Delhi in 1999. Alarmed, the two-wheeler industry under the aegis of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised a round table in December 1999 to discuss alternatives. The Delhi-based non-governmental organisation, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) demanded that such vehicles come with emissions warranty putting the onus on manufacturers for on-road performance. In January 2000, Venu Srinivasan, the then SIAM president announced a voluntary emission warranty scheme for two-wheelers. It was subsequently implemented in July 2001. The government, however, has failed to make it legally binding and giving it teeth.