What's happening

What is DfT doing about this?

EU Negotiations

Negotiations around the European directive have concluded and the directive published in October 2007. The DfT worked very closely with colleagues from other member states and industry representatives to ensure that the needs of UK businesses were met.

We are now working very closely with the Commission to ensure that the proposed national schemes satisfy the requirements of Directive.

National Schemes

The proposed national schemes for Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) and Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) are being finalised. We have completed an informal consultation on the technical requirements with a cross section of industry and trade associations and are now in the process of assessing the feedback. In addition specific elements of the national schemes are being discussed at a Ministerial level.

We are also working very closely with stakeholders from industry and government. We have a stakeholder group whose remit is to:

Provide a channel for discussions about ECWVTA between industry and DfT, allowing views to be aired, issues raised and barriers overcome;
Ensure all relevant information on ECWVTA is exchanged so stakeholders can assess the impact on their operations and feed their views in as the process evolves;
Generate a shared understanding of when and how changes will take effect;
Share ideas on how to reach less visible stakeholders so they are equally appraised of the situation
Supporting initiatives to make industry aware so that it is ready for the changes.

Impact Assessment

As part of the process of delivering better regulation, DfT has to undertake an Impact Assessment (IA) to assess the financial and regulatory impact on UK industry and Government of the implementation of any the regulatory change.

DfT, with the help of a consultancy firm, has prepared a draft IA that assesses the impact of the changes necessitated by both the Recast Framework Directive (i.e. expanding the ECWVTA) and the introduction of national approval schemes.

A key part of the work involved consultation with industry trade associations - the stakeholders - that represent the majority of manufacturers and dealers of light and heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, trailers, specialist vehicles and importers.

Industry Survey

In September 2007, DfT ran a series of seminars across the UK in conjunction with industry for businesses affected by ECWVTA. The seminars were attended by over 350 people for 280 organisations. The aims of the seminars were to:

increase awareness of the forthcoming changes, and
assess the likely future demand for vehicle approval services and help ensure that the agencies responsible for providing approval services have sufficient inspection / approval resources available to meet industry needs.

A copy of the brochure and a copy of the presentation used to support the seminars can be downloaded.

Public Consultation

DfT has launched a public consultation inviting industry and interested individuals to comment on the Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2008, including proposals for national approval schemes, technical requirements and inspection fee levels.

The consultation will run until 22 August 2008. Further details can be found at www.dft.gov.uk/typeapprovalconsultation

Partner Organisations

DfT and DoE (NI) along with DVA, DVLA, VCA and VOSA, are involved in major programmes of work to implement the national legislation and infrastructure needed for them to successfully deliver the services required by industry to meet the requirements of the Directive.

Industry Survey Brochure Final (1 Mb)

Published:: 23 October 2007

Industry Survey Seminar Presentation (6 Mb)

Published:: 23 October 2007