Motor vehicles — EU type-approval system

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2007/46/EC — approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

It provides EU countries with a common set of rules for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for these vehicles.

It makes type approval compulsory for all categories of whole vehicles, including those built in several stages. It lays down:

• a harmonised framework with general technical requirements for the type approval of new vehicles and of systems, components and technical units designed for such vehicles, so as to facilitate their registration, sale and entry into service in the EU;
• rules regarding the sale and entry into service of vehicle parts and equipment.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The directive applies to cars, vans, trucks, buses and coaches, which are now covered by fully harmonised EU requirements.

Procedure

• The EU type-approval system is based on the principles of third-party approvals* and mutual recognition* of such approvals.
• Under the type-approval regime, before being put on the market, the vehicle type is tested by a national technical service in accordance with the legislation. The national approval authority then delivers the approval (‘CE certificate’) on the basis of these tests. The manufacturer may make an application for approval in any EU country.
• It is sufficient that the vehicle is approved in one EU country for all vehicles of its type to be registered with no further checks throughout the EU on the basis of their certificate of conformity.
• A certificate of conformity is a statement by the manufacturer that the vehicle conforms to EU type-approval requirements. The manufacturer has the responsibility to ensure the conformity of production to the approved type.

Technical requirements

The directive mainly covers the administrative procedure to be followed for the approval of vehicles. The actual technical requirements against which vehicles have to be tested are covered in other EU texts which are listed in Annex IV to the directive. For instance, these texts:

• make certain features mandatory, such as:
  • electronic stability control;
  • new and improved mirrors;
  • daytime running lights;
  • side guards to prevent pedestrians and cyclists from falling under vehicles and anti-spray devices;
• lay down additional requirements for buses and coaches:
  • emergency exits that are appropriate to vehicle capacity;
  • easier access for people with reduced mobility;
  • adequate residual space in the event of the rollover of the vehicle, etc.;
• cover certain environmental obligations such as:
  • the standardised measure of CO₂ emissions,
  • pollutant emission limits,
  • fuel consumption,
  • engine power or vehicle noise emissions.

In 2017, the European Commission adopted Regulations (EU) 2017/1151 and (EU) 2017/1154. These ensure that, from 1 September 2017, new car models pass new and more reliable emissions tests under real driving conditions (‘Real Driving Emissions’).

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

The directive entered into force on 29 October 2007. Depending on the category of vehicle, the directive’s application was phased in over the 2009–14 period. It had to become law in the EU countries by 28 April 2009.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• Emissions in the automotive sector (European Commission)
• Directives and regulations on motor vehicles, their trailers, systems and components (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, pp. 1-160)

Successive amendments and corrections to Directive 2007/46/EC have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 of 1 June 2017 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information, amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 (OJ L 175, 7.7.2017, pp. 1-643)

See consolidated version.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1154 of 7 June 2017 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 supplementing Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information, amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 and Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards real-driving emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 6) (OJ L 175, 7.7.2017, pp. 708-732)

Corrigendum

Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 of 12 December 2017 implementing Regulation (EC) No 595/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the determination of the CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 (OJ L 349, 29.12.2017, pp. 1-247)

last update 10.04.2018