A new approach to EU environmental policy-making? The Auto-Oil I Programme

The Commission's Auto-Oil I Pro gramme was initially hailed as a model for future environmental legislation It constituted a departure from previous E uropean Union car emission policy-making based on the incremental tightenin g of car emission limits in line with the advancement of the best available technology. The Auto-Oil I Programme was developed within a 'tripartite di alogue' between the Commission and the automobile and oil industries. It ai med at achieving environmental quality objectives through the adoption of t he most cost-effective regulation. This article explains why the Commission 's 'new approach' was rejected by the Environmental Council and the Europea n Parliament which adopted significantly more stringent standards within th e co-decision procedure.