DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (082) issued by The Government News Network
on 2 June 2008
The Department for
Transport has today begun consulting on new construction
requirements to be met by manufacturers of vans, trucks,
minibuses, buses, coaches, trailers, motorhomes and other
special-purpose vehicles.
The consultation reflects the requirements of the EC Whole
Vehicle Type Approval Directive (ECWVTA), which already applies to
cars. ECWVTA is designed to ensure that all new vehicles are safe
to use and have the lowest possible environment impacts, without
the need to inspect each vehicle individually. Currently,
construction regulations differ across Europe meaning that
manufacturers must apply for approval in each country where they
make sales.
ECWVTA will be phased in between 2009 and 2014, with different
types of vehicles becoming subject to its requirements at
different times. Once the requirements come into effect, all
affected vehicles will have to be built to an approved standard
before they can be sold and registered for use on the road.
Vehicles made in low volumes for sale in the UK only will not be
required to comply with ECWVTA but instead must meet National
Small Series Type Approval or Individual Vehicle Approval requirements.
Transport Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick said
"These new requirements are designed to harmonise
construction standards throughout Europe - removing trade barriers
for manufacturers and ensuring common safety and environmental
requirements for operators and consumers."
Under ECWVTA a vehicle manufacturer will be responsible for
ensuring that its vehicles meet a series of construction
requirements covering areas such as brakes, lighting, crash
performance and environmental standards. In addition the
manufacturer's production processes will be assessed to
confirm that each vehicle coming off the production line conforms
to the same standards.
Notes to editors
1. ECWTVA has applied to cars since 1996.
2. The introduction of trailer approval means that new procedures
are necessary to ensure that trailers are not placed on the road
unless they have valid approvals. For small trailers, the retailer
will be required to keep records. For large trailers which are
subject to annual roadworthiness testing with VOSA, the records
will be kept by VOSA.
3. All businesses involved in the manufacture, build, import or
sale of new vehicles will need to gain approval certification for
their products. No approval, no sale.
4. Further information is available at http://www.dft.gov.uk/typeapproval
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Department for
Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk