(1)

The decision to impose an administrative fine upon an economic operator in support of corrective and restrictive measures in accordance with Article 85 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 should be taken by the Commission as a result of the consultations of the Member States concerned and the relevant economic operator or operators under Article 53(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and should be reflected in the decision to impose corrective and restrictive measures.

(2)

It is necessary to lay down certain procedural steps when the Commission intends to impose administrative fines in support of corrective and restrictive measures, building on the procedure set out in Article 53(6) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. It is notably important to guarantee the right to be heard and the right to have access to the file by granting the economic operator access to relevant information and the right to submit its observations along with the evidence necessary to support such observations in relation to the intended imposition of an administrative fine. In addition, it is necessary to set out rules to ensure appropriate protection of data which economic operators consider confidential.

(3)

It is necessary to lay down a method for the calculation of administrative fines according to the gravity of non-compliance. This method should be known in advance by the economic operators. Administrative fines should be dissuasive in deterring economic operators from infringing the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and proportionate to the seriousness of the infringement. Since the administrative fines are to be imposed per non-compliant vehicle, system, component or separate technical unit, the criteria for calculating the fine should be considered accordingly. The calculation of administrative fines should take into consideration any undue economic advantage obtained through the sale or distribution of a non-compliant vehicle that might distort competition vis-à-vis other economic operators that abide by the rules. Any losses suffered by consumers, including the altering of the performance of the vehicle, that result from non-compliance should also be considered in assessing the seriousness of the infringement since such non-compliance may undermine the protection of health and safety of consumers sought by that Regulation. In addition, the amount of the administrative fines should be proportionate to the number of non-compliant vehicles registered in the Union, or the number of non-compliant systems, components or separate technical units made available on the Union market.

(4)

Due account should be taken of the seriousness and the effects of the infringement, as well as of any aggravating and mitigating factors, in the calculation of administrative fines, which should be perceived as deterring, proportionate and offsetting the benefits of non-compliance. Aggravating factors should include the impact on safety, health and the environment since ensuring a high level of safety, health and environmental protection are determined as an objective of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Setting a robust penalty scheme at Union level that acts as deterrent through sanctions to non-compliance that negatively affects the safety of the vehicle’s occupants and other road users and the protection of human health and the environment should contribute towards achieving those objectives. The degree of cooperation of the economic operator including corrective actions taken by the economic operator are to be considered as mitigating elements when calculating the administrative fine.

(5)

In order to facilitate the payment of administrative fines, it is necessary to lay down a method for their collection. The collection of those fines should be done in accordance with the rules for the recovery of fines, other penalties or sanctions imposed by Union institutions, laid down in Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2),