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Type Approval for Motorcycles

A system of mandatory European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) has been in place for motorcycles for a number of years.  The scheme was originally framed under Directive 92/61/EEC, which was subsequently replaced and repealed by Directive 2002/24/EC, as amended.  The Framework Directive covers 2, 3 and some light 4 wheeled vehicles (quadricycles).

EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) is based around EC Directives and provides for the approval of whole vehicles, in addition to vehicle systems and separate components.  This certification is accepted throughout the EU without the need for further testing until a standard is updated or your design changes.

Automotive EC Directives and ECE Regulations require third party approval - testing, certification and production conformity assessment by an independent body. Each Member State is required to appoint an Approval Authority to issue the approvals and a Technical Service to carry out the testing to the Directives and Regulations. An approval issued by one Authority will be accepted in all the Member States.

VCA is the designated UK Approval Authority and a Technical Service for all type approvals to automotive EC Directives and ECE Regulations.

Low volume/Small Series Manufacturers

Full EC whole vehicle type approval (ECWVTA) won't suit everyone, particularly those manufacturing vehicles in low numbers. In recognition of this fact there is another route to approval in the UK, the Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA) scheme.

If you are making just a single vehicle or very small numbers of a vehicle type, you may wish to use the MSVA scheme.  The MSVA scheme is the least onerous approval route in terms of compliance but involves an individual inspection of each vehicle.  This route to approval gives sales rights only within the UK, not automatically throughout the rest of Europe.

Further information about the MSVA scheme is available on the Business Link website: www.businesslink.gov.uk

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

Related information

• Visual Overview of the Type Approval Process (PDF 47.1KB)
• The value of ISO certification in vehicle type approval(PDF 127.3KB)
• About Conformity of Production
• VISTA & LegStat (keep up to date with new legislation) 
• VCA's Compliance Management System - CMS  (an online tool to help you manage the vehicle type approval process)
• How to purchase a standard from VCA
• 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