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System and Component Type Approval

EC or ECE System and Component Type Approval standards are specified within the Framework Directive. Approval of a complete vehicle is dependent on these standards having been met.  There are certain items that will need to be approved as both an individual component or a Separate Technical Unit (STU), as well as being approved as part of an overall system, in order to meet the requirements of the Directive.

In addition to the requirements for Whole Vehicle, a number of standards also apply to after market products as well as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts.  Examples of these include Tyres, Glass, Exhaust systems and replacement brake linings to name a few.  The following linked PDF files explain this in more detail:

• Introduction to Vehicle System and Component Approvals (PDF 74.2KB)
• European Type Approval for Automotive Systems and Components (PDF 76.1KB)

The value of working with VCA

Other specific links:

• About Conformity of Production
• Visual Overview of the Type Approval Process (PDF 47.1KB)
• The value of ISO certification in vehicle type approval(PDF 127.3KB)
• Make an application for Type Approval (PDF 1.5MB)*

* Customers in North America should contact us here to make an application, or for further information: general@vcana.com

For EMC Type Approval customers:

• How to obtain EMC Approval (PDF 125.3KB)
• list of test facilities suitable for EMC testing (witnessed by VCA) (PDF 302.6KB)

For Digital Tachograph customers

• Type Approval of Digital Tachographs (PDF 34.2KB)

For Retread Tyre customers

• VCA's Guide to the Type Approval of Retreaded Tyres (PDF 199.9KB)

For Replacement Brake Linings customers

• Replacement Brake Linings - EC Directive 98/12 Summary Sheet (PDF 62.8KB)
• Replacement Brake Linings - Technical Guidance (PDF 99.2KB)

Related Information

• Vehicle categories explained
• Link to Glossary of terms
• About Conformity of Production VISTA & LegStat (keep up to date with new legislation) 
• How to purchase a standard from VCA
• VCA's Compliance Management System - CMS  (an online tool to help you manage the vehicle type approval process)
• Relevant technical standards
• Latest Legislation Information Notice (PDF 196.7KB)
• Signatories to the ECE Regulations (the '1958 agreement') (PDF 29.9 KB)
• Training Services - Type Approval
• Technical Support Service

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