Association of Concessionary Bodies of the Community of Valencia for Technical Vehicle Inspection (Aecova) reports an Employment Regulation File for 300 workers. The Ministry of Economy has decided to abolish the noise test in passenger cars as of January 1, a move the industry confirms was implemented unilaterally and without prior notice. This change is part of a broader effort to reduce inspection fees, a measure announced alongside other fiscal adjustments.
The suppression of the noise test, which previously cost 11.25 euros, appears among amendments submitted by the Botanic Government to the accompanying fiscal measures law. The document, published this Friday in the Generalitat Official Gazette, states that the goal is to reduce the inspection fee because the test was conducted only within the Community, which would make the Valencia ITV one of the most expensive vehicle inspection regimes nationwide.
The decision has drawn strong criticism from Aecova, which described it as the result of improvisation and malice by Minister Climent. Aecova notes that the ministry changed the law without adequate notice and that, by next March 2023, there has been little political courtesy in forwarding the amendments to the chartered companies. The organization stresses that this lack of planning affects the floor on which the Economy Ministry grants extensions to companies at the last moment and without prior notification.
Aecova also pointed to inconsistencies between the ministers statements to companies and the latest media reports. The group suspects a premeditated action that challenges management efficiency and the principle of proportionality. If the change was not caused by a planning error stemming from ignorance about ITV operations, the business community argues the announcement forced concessionaires to begin actions on Monday, January 2, and to negotiate with unions and staff delegates to terminate affected contracts by the decision of the consultant.
Aecova offered its initial assessment of the impact of the DOGV publication issued today. The association estimates that about 20 percent of current ITV staff, roughly 300 workers, and about 90 percent of vehicle technical inspections in the Valencia Community will be affected. It also points out that eliminating this test introduces a new economic imbalance and could lead to an unforeseen reduction in revenue at facilities where extensions are granted to concessionaires. Finally, Aecova notes that the governance budgets of the publicly traded company are already outdated and exceeded, limiting the organization’s ability to plan ahead with certainty. The body emphasizes that the change interacts with broader fiscal policy and labor practices, creating a period of adjustment for the inspection network and the workers involved. This development underscores the need for clear transition frameworks that protect both service continuity and employment within the regional ITV system.