Individual approvals: Imports - Self-build - Low volume
Non-standard vehicles
FAQ
How to register my non-standard vehicle
One of our most asked question:
Yearly many vehicles enter the European Union that are non standard vehicles. Meaning they don’t come with a EU-typeapproval. Another possibility is a homebuilt vehicle. All current rules are laid out in 2018/858. This does not remove the fact that the rules always apply from the date of first registration.
The automotive industry is a highly regulated sector, with safety and environmental considerations driving stringent controls over vehicle production and market entry. The process of getting a vehicle approved for road use involves several frameworks to ensure that it complies with legal requirements. One such approval system, particularly important for small-scale manufacturers and bespoke vehicle modifications, is the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) process under Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
The regulation, which came into effect in September 2020, sets out comprehensive guidelines for the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles, trailers, and systems, components, and separate technical units. This article explores the significance of Individual Vehicle Approval within the context of the broader regulation, providing insight into its key provisions and the impact on manufacturers, consumers, and regulatory bodies.
FAQ
What is Regulation (EU) 2018/858?
Replacement
Regulation (EU) 2018/858 replaced the previous Framework Directive 2007/46/EC, with the goal of reinforcing the approval process for vehicles and ensuring a robust framework for market surveillance and compliance. This regulation introduced several changes to the vehicle type-approval process, aiming to improve vehicle safety and environmental standards.
Key objectives of the regulation include:
- Enhanced Market Surveillance: Strengthened powers for EU Member States to check vehicles already on the market and recall non-compliant models.
- Improved Transparency: More stringent requirements for sharing technical information about vehicles with relevant authorities.
- Greater Independence: Measures to ensure the independence of type-approval authorities and technical services from manufacturers, reducing conflicts of interest.
Within this regulatory context, Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) provides a streamlined mechanism for approving unique vehicles that do not undergo standard mass-production type approval.
FAQ
What is Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)?
Individual Vehicle Approval
Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) is a process designed for vehicles that are produced in low numbers or are modified to an extent that they no longer match their original type approval. This system allows these vehicles to be tested and approved on an individual basis rather than undergoing the full EU type-approval process, which is usually more complex and expensive.
Typical examples of vehicles requiring IVA include:
- Small-Series Production: Vehicles produced in limited numbers by small manufacturers.
- Modified or Custom Vehicles: Including significant alterations to standard vehicles, such as changes to the chassis, engine, or other critical components.
- Imported Vehicles: Particularly from outside the EU, where the vehicle was not originally intended for the European market.
- Vintage or Classic Cars: Older vehicles that need approval after being restored or imported from another region.
The IVA process ensures these vehicles meet essential safety, environmental, and roadworthiness standards while offering a degree of flexibility that accommodates unique or unusual designs.
FAQ
IVA in the Context of Regulation (EU) 2018/858
Compliance
Regulation (EU) 2018/858 outlines the requirements and procedures for obtaining vehicle approval in Europe. Individual Vehicle Approval is specifically addressed as a key instrument to allow non-standard or low-volume vehicles to be legally used on
Challenges:
- Stringent Inspection Requirements: Despite being more flexible than type approval, IVA still requires vehicles to meet stringent safety and environmental criteria, which can be difficult for certain custom or vintage vehicles.
- National Differences: While the regulation provides a common framework, IVA procedures can differ from one Member State to another, creating potential confusion for manufacturers and vehicle owners operating in multiple EU countries.
public roads without undergoing the rigorous and often costly type-approval system.
Some of the specific provisions under Regulation 2018/858 relating to IVA include:
Exemption from Full Type Approval: Vehicles approved under IVA do not need to conform to the full type-approval standards applied to mass-produced vehicles. Instead, they are assessed on individual merits, often using national-level regulations that align with EU safety and environmental benchmarks.
Simplified Compliance: For small-scale manufacturers, the IVA process offers a simplified method of demonstrating compliance with vehicle regulations. The tests and documentation required under IVA are less exhaustive, making it easier for unique or custom-built vehicles to gain approval.
Environmental and Safety Standards: Despite the flexibility in testing requirements, vehicles undergoing IVA must still meet essential safety and environmental protection standards. The vehicle’s emissions, safety features (e.g., seat belts, brakes), and roadworthiness are inspected to ensure compliance with EU law.
Market Surveillance and Enforcement: Under the new regulation, authorities have greater power to monitor vehicles approved under IVA. This includes the ability to conduct checks post-approval and enforce recalls or sanctions if the vehicle is found to be non-compliant or unsafe after being placed on the market.
Challenges:
- Stringent Inspection Requirements: Despite being more flexible than type approval, IVA still requires vehicles to meet stringent safety and environmental criteria, which can be difficult for certain custom vehicles.
- National Differences: While the regulation provides a common framework, IVA procedures can differ from one Member State to another, creating potential confusion for manufacturers and vehicle owners operating in multiple EU countries.
FAQ
Process of Obtaining Individual Vehicle Approval
How to
The IVA process involves several key steps that vary slightly across EU Member States but follow a general structure outlined in the regulation:
Application Submission: The applicant submits the necessary documentation to the appropriate national authority, including technical specifications, modification details (if applicable), and any supporting evidence of compliance with relevant standards.
Inspection and Testing: The vehicle undergoes an inspection to ensure it meets safety and environmental requirements. This may include tests for emissions, structural integrity, lighting, and other components.
Certification: If the vehicle passes all necessary inspections, it is issued with an Individual Vehicle Approval certificate. This certificate proves that the vehicle meets the required standards for use on public roads within the EU.
Registration: After receiving IVA certification, the vehicle can be registered and legally driven on public roads.
The specific requirements and testing criteria can vary based on the vehicle type and the national regulations in place, but they must align with the broader principles of Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
Benefits:
- Flexibility: The IVA process offers flexibility for niche manufacturers, importers, and enthusiasts, allowing vehicles that do not fit within standard type-approval categories to still be road-legal.
- Cost-Effectiveness: For small-series or custom vehicles, IVA is significantly less costly than full type-approval, which involves comprehensive testing and certification.
- Innovation and Diversity: By enabling unique or modified vehicles to be approved, IVA fosters innovation and accommodates a wide range of vehicle designs and uses.
Conclusion
Individual Vehicle Approval under Regulation (EU) 2018/858 provides a vital pathway for small manufacturers, custom vehicle builders, and importers to bring unique or non-standard vehicles onto the road while maintaining essential safety and environmental protections. The IVA system, by offering a more flexible, simplified process compared to full type-approval, encourages innovation and supports a diverse vehicle market within the European Union.
For manufacturers and vehicle owners, understanding the IVA process and its implications under this regulation is crucial to ensuring compliance and gaining legal access to the EU vehicle market. While the regulation introduces robust checks and balances, the IVA framework balances flexibility with the need for safety, making it an essential tool for the evolving automotive industry.
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Mission &
Vision
Mission
Getting you on the road
The law is quite clear, and we are here to observe if countries are following them correctly. When you are running into problems, or don’t know what to do, then there is us helping you.
Vision
Many mistakes
Both people trying to register their vehicle are making mistakes, as many authorities that are not up to date with current law. While these laws don’t change often, the do need some revisions from time to time. Our vision is clear, helping you following the correct laws and procedures, and not letting people down by their local authorities.
