Auto Type Approval

Road Vehicle Type Approval

Framework Directive 70/156/EC for automotive type approval lists over 50 separate topics for whole vehicle approval of category M, N and O vehicles; there are similar framework Directives for agricultural tractors and motorcycles. Depending on the category of vehicle, it may require a European whole vehicle type approval certificate. Each Member State of the EU has a governmental agency responsible for the automotive approvals. Approval authorities have the responsibility for either overseeing the approval process themselves or, in the case of the separate approval topics, appointing Technical Services to assist them. Technical Service appointment from an Approval Authority requires ISO 17025 accreditation for the specific topic / laboratory and a certification function that can demonstrate competency. The revision to the Framework Directive 70/156/EC will require all road vehicle type approval test facilities to meet the relevant requirements of ISO 17025 and all laboratory technical services to be ISO 17025 accredited. Our best estimate is for implementation sometime after the start of 2006 with transitional arrangements possibly stretching out to 2010 for some topics.

The European Commission automotive approval mark is an “e”. The United Nations Regulations approval mark is an “E”. The technical requirements of the European Commission Directives and the United Nations Regulations are very similar and in most case exactly the same.

MIRA supports clients at all stages in type approval procedure. Where MIRA is the technical service, or the agent of the manufacturer, we ensure a seamless flow from the issue of the test report(s) to the issue of the certificate(s). This results in reduced turnaround times for our customers and facilitates reduction in new product development times.

Type Approval Procedure