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Overview of Type Approval for Trailers
In October 2007, the Whole Body Vehicle Directive, 2007/46/EC, was implemented with the intent to offer a European-wide certification scheme for vehicles (such as, coaches, vans, trailers, etc) that were not previously covered by any such scheme. Prior to this date, each member state operated their own set of national requirements, which meant selling such a vehicle across Europe became rather complex.
This new scheme called 'Type Approval' came into force for voluntary application from the 29th April 2009 and then mandatory application will be phased in over a number of years. Where a manufacturer or importer sells a trailer with their machines or they manufacture trailer mounted equipment, it is important to ensure you have the right approval, because no approval means no sale!
Categories & Timetable for Trailers:
Type Approval applies to ALL trailers of any size or type that are to be used on the road! Trailers are defined as "any non-self-propelled vehicle on wheels which is designed and constructed to be towed by a motor vehicle" (2007/46/EC, article 3, paragraph 12).
Trailers are split into four categories, depending upon the maximum mass of the trailer. Irrespective of category, ALL new trailers need to comply from the 29th October 2010 and existing type trailers need to comply from the 29th October 2012.
| CAT. |
MAXIMUM MASS |
NEW TYPE
VOLUNTARY |
NEW TYPE
MANDATORY |
EXISTING TYPE
MANDATORY |
| O1 |
Not exceeding
0.75 tonnes |
29th April
2009
|
29th October 2010
(or 29th April 2011 for completed multistage build) |
29th October 2012
(or 29th April 2013 for completed multistage build) |
| O2 |
Exceeding 0.75
but not 3.5 tonnes |
| O3 |
Exceeding 3.5
but not 10 tonnes |
| O4 |
Exceeding 10
tonnes |
Routes to Conformity:
There are three different routes to conformity, each with their own merits and drawbacks, however there should be a scheme to suit each manufacturer based upon the number of trailers made and target markets. Each route is summarised below:
| EUROPEAN-WIDE SCHEME (ECWVTA) |
- European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA)
- No limits and once approved no further assessment required for sales across Europe
- Conformity of Production (COP) required, but an ISO 9001 could be used
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NATIONAL SCHEME
(NSSTA) |
- National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA) - Limited to
- 500 for O1 and O2 trailers
- 250 for O3 and O4 trailers
(per type per year)
- Approval only gives right of sale in one member state.
- COP required.
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| INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE APPROVAL (ITA) |
- Approval is required on a per unit basis. Suitable for one-off or bespoke trailers.
- Approval only gives right of sale in one member state.
- UK Approval Body: VOSA
- No COP required.
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Type Approval Process:
The process involves two fundamental requirements; meeting the technical and administrative requirements; and capturing the design and ensuring that subsequent production vehicles are manufactured in conformance with the approved design (Conformity of Production). Only when both aspects are satificatory, can the trailer be considered to be approved.
Applicable Regulations:
As part of the approval process, manufacturers and importers will need to provide a trailer that has been built to comply with the relevant legislation. Below is a list of regulations that may apply to a typical O2 trailer. A full list of regulations can be viewed in Annex IV of 2007/46/EC.
List of regulations for trailers:
The Whole Vehicle Type Approval Directive (2007/46/EC)
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If you need any help or assistance with Type Approval for trailers, please contact the
CE Marking Association on 01527 595066.
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