Unveiling risks: The hidden dangers in European second-hand vehicle and auto components sales
In the heart of Accra, Ghana, lies Abossey Okai – a notorious hub for importing second-hand auto parts, many of which are subpar, potentially dangerous, and harmful to the environment. It's a market chock-full of European car remnants, including end-of-life vehicles, a significant portion of which lack necessary emission standards and roadworthiness certifications.
These dangerous parts don't just pose dangers on the road but contribute significantly to Ghana's air pollution. According to air quality data, Accra's annual concentration of air pollution was a whopping 11 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality standard as of 2020, with approximately 40% of air pollution traced back to vehicle emissions.
The unregulated import and use of these substandard parts have led to numerous incidents, such as the close call Robert experienced while replacing a faulty exhaust pipe on a Hyundai Sonata. The replace part brought Robert dangerously close to death during a test-drive, thanks to the part itself being faulty.
The problem originates from the fact that most of the imported auto parts come from salvaged and end-of-life vehicles, as revealed by Clement Boateng, the chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association. With over 15,000 shops in the market, a significant chunk of fifty-five percent is made up of used parts importers.
The exporting countries' lack of minimum standards for used vehicles trading allows for numerous faulty vehicles to slip through the cracks, making their way to Ghana. Veronica Ruiz Stannah, an expert on transportation from the United Nations Environment Programme, pointed out this gap in regulations, allowing poor-quality used cars and parts to pass inspections at European harbors.
Ghana's local regulators, the Ghana Road Safety Authority and Ghana Standards Authority, have yet to establish specific scientific standards and emission specifications for auto spare-parts imported to the country. The authorities are in talks to ensure that imported spare parts at least meet some conformity tests, but no definitive actions have been taken yet.
The European Commission is currently in the process of revising its Directive on end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), but it remains uncertain if the final regulation will include a cross-border aspect to end the export of ELVs to places like Ghana and Nigeria.
In 2020, the Dutch Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) conducted a study on the European export of used vehicles to West Africa, revealing that 80% of 280,000 vehicles exported to West Africa from the Netherlands were "old and below the Euro 4/IV emission standard" and often lacked the required roadworthiness certificates. The study indicated that the trend was similar among other European markets like Germany, Belgium, and France.
Effective regulation of the trade in end-of-life vehicles and used auto parts from Europe to Ghana requires coordinated action on both ends. Europe needs to ensure compliance with its ELV Directive for exports, while Ghana needs to set and enforce strict import and safety standards. Collaboration, capacity building, and adherence to international conventions are essential to protect both safety and the environment.
Until the necessary actions are taken, Accra's unsuspecting residents will continue to breathe in harmful pollution, paving the way for thousands more deaths annually. It's high time that policymakers across the globe take these issues seriously and implement measures to protect the public from the dangers of substandard auto parts and low-emission vehicles.
- The unregulated import and use of substandard auto parts from Europe significantly contributes to Ghana's business sector, with Abossey Okai, the market in Accra, boasting over 15,000 shops, a majority of which deal in used parts.
- The investment in health and insurance sectors could see a surge due to the harmful effects of these substandard auto parts, as annual deaths in Accra are set to increase, according to reports, until necessary actions are taken.
- Technology can play a crucial role in addressing this issue, with Veronica Ruiz Stannah suggesting that gaps in regulations allowing poor-quality used cars and parts to pass inspections at European harbors could be addressed through advanced inspection practices.
- Development of policy to regulate the trade in end-of-life vehicles and used auto parts is essential, as collaboration, capacity building, and adherence to international conventions are key to protecting both safety and the environment.
- The European Commission, through its revised Directive on end-of-life vehicles, still has uncertainty surrounding whether it will include a cross-border aspect to end the export of ELVs to places like Ghana and Nigeria, demonstrating the need for ongoing discussion and cooperation on this important issue.
