The Automotive Distribution Federation has had to order a massive reprint of a leaflet detailing its interpretation of the block exemption regulation revisions.

Initially, the ADF mailed out 10,000 of the A2 leaflets as part of an initiative designed to clarify to its members how the European Union legislation should be impacting on motorists, garages, factors, components suppliers and vehicle assemblers.

By this week, the print run had reached 100,000.

“There’s been a tremendous response – it shows just how much demand there is for a clear guide to BER,” says chief executive Brian Spratt.

The ADF points out that the leaflet should not be taken as a definition of the law, although legal advice was taken on the content prior to publication.

It concentrates on the “four freedoms” (see below) aimed at safeguarding competition in vehicle spare parts, service and repair.

The ADF says it has brought instances of what it alleges are “misdeeds” to the attention of UK competition authorities. In a letter to members, ADF president Russell Curtis says: “It is clear that the vehicle assemblers are attempting to use the new rules for their advantage and to the disadvantage of the independent sector.”