Alexander Dobrindt confirmed that the disclosure of engine software will be required as part of a new "authorisation procedure" car manufacturers will need to engage with in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure told Out-Law.com in a statement.
The disclosure will be part of a "package of measures" that will be implemented in response to revelations earlier this year about software Volkswagen deployed, Dobrindt said.
In September the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused Volkswagen of breaching US laws by deploying software in some of its vehicles that allowed it to "cheat" obligations on emissions levels. Volkswagen admitted that there were "discrepancies" with some of its vehicles. The German government set up a special commission to investigate the matter.