Type Approval Procedure

The Type Approval procedure is essentially the same for a vehicle as for a component.

To obtain type approval it is necessary to apply to a Technical Service. The Technical Service issues a "job number" and informs the relevant approval authority (VCA or NSAI). Conformity of Production (CoP) assessment of the client is then initiated by either the Approval Authority or MIRA (if NSAI is the selected Approval Authority).

The client provides the documents specified in the directive together with the required number of sample products for assessment and testing.

The client, with advice if required, prepares a "worst case" analysis of the product range together with a draft test plan.

This analysis is assessed in a "worst case review" meeting with the Technical Service. Where the product is a single product this meeting may simply be a document exchange. Where a number of products are derived from a basic design they are assessed to identify a worst case version for testing in order to limit the amount of test work to be carried out. A documented worst case assessment is produced for the approval body as a record of the agreement. The test plan is finalised and the Type Approval fees are confirmed.

Testing is carried out on the sample product(s) with the Technical Service witnessing the test work as necessary.

The directive defines the permitted test methods and the test limits to be used for both vehicles and components for radiated immunity and for radiated emissions.

Test reports are prepared and the Technical Service provides a complete set of technical documentation and test reports to the approval authority.

Subject to a satisfactory review of the submitted documents and CoP assessment, the approval body issues a type approval certificate which authorises the manufacturer to put the "e" mark, or "E" mark, on the product(s).