GB Type Approval Scheme

This page was last updated on 20th August 2024

Light-Duty Emissions Approvals for GB Type Approval

Approval Routes

To satisfy GBTA emissions requirements for light-duty vehicles, there are planned to be two primary routes available for manufacturers:

Option 1 (available now)

Manufacturer applies for GBTA on the basis of holding a GB 715/2007 emissions approval (aligned to Euro 6d)

Option 2 (available when GBTA framework is updated in 2024)

Manufacturer applies for GBTA on the basis of holding all of the following UN type-approvals:

• R154.02 or 03 Series (Level 1A or 2)
• [R168] (if applicable*)
• R83.08 (if applicable**)
• R85
• R24.03 (if applicable)

*     not applicable for pure electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles
**    not applicable for pure electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles, but evidence of compliance with paragraph 3 (a) (ii) of the Regulation is required (anti tampering measures applied in relation to the odometer).

Special cases

There are instances where it is not possible to grant one or more of the required UN approvals (Option 2) due to the vehicle type being out of scope of the regulation.

Examples of this include:

• N2 category vehicles (which are out of the scope of R168); and
• Armoured vehicles with a reference mass exceeding 2,840 kg (which are out of the scope of R154 and R168).

For these cases, either Option 1 shall be followed, or:

Option 3 (available when GBTA framework is updated in 2024)

The manufacturer applies for GBTA on the basis of holding a GB 715/2007 emissions approval, which has been granted on the basis of submitting all possible UN approvals listed in Option 2 and providing test reports demonstrating compliance with GB 715/2007 requirements for any missing approvals (such as R168 or R154).

If there are any further cases whereby Options 1-3 do not enable a manufacturer to satisfy GBTA light-duty emissions requirements, please contact us at RTG@vca.gov.uk.

Euro 6e is not accepted for GB Type Approval

Through Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/443, the EU has amended its light-duty emissions standard to introduce Euro 6e, which is mandatory in the EU for new vehicle types from 1st September 2023, and new vehicles from 1st September 2024. 

This regulation does not apply in Great Britain, and is not part of the GB type-approval framework (set out by Retained Regulation 2018/858 as amended by SI 2022/1273). GB Type Approval (GBTA) currently requires Euro 6d-ISC-FCM, which is the retained emissions standard when the UK exited the EU. 

Despite an acknowledgement that Euro 6e is a later standard and has more stringent requirements than 6d there is no legal basis for VCA to accept Euro 6e documentation (i.e., test reports, information documents) for GBTA. 

Therefore, any GBTA applications submitted to VCA relying on Euro 6e evidence will be refused. Only Euro 6d test reports, test data and information documents in accordance with retained Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 as amended by 2018/1832 will be accepted for the purposes of a GBTA application. All submitted documentation for a GB light-duty emissions approval will be checked by VCA, to ensure it is aligned to the Euro 6d-ISC-FCM standard. This includes test report formats and the data contained therein. 

It may be possible for manufacturers to avoid double-testing according to Euro 6d and 6e, where the previously performed testing and the family definitions of the vehicle are compatible with both standards.  

Please note, Euro 6e does apply in Northern Ireland, following the same implementation dates as the EU. Therefore, UK(NI) approvals will require Euro 6e from 1st September 2023 for new types. Find out more about the UK(NI) approval scheme here. 

UN Regulations for Light-Duty Emissions

In 2024, with the predicted entry into force of UN Regulation No. 83.08 and the forthcoming UN Regulation on Real Driving Emissions (R168), we expect there to be a full package of UN Regulations available as an equivalent alternative to the EU’s Euro 6e. These will accompany the existing light-duty emissions regulations: UN Regulations Nos. 24, 85 and 154. The UK Department for Transport intends to update the GB regulations to recognise approvals to these UN regulations, shortly following their entry into force. This gives manufacturers the choice of approving their vehicles to either the UN requirements, which are equivalent to Euro 6e, or the GB requirements.

As UN approvals do not necessarily need to be obtained from the VCA, other type-approval authorities may be used to gain these light-duty emissions approvals, which will be recognised by VCA to meet GB requirements. In these cases, VCA will not undertake any additional checking of the approval documentation, unlike a GB light-duty emission approval. For example, a GB AES/BES assessment will not need to be completed by VCA.

Conformity of Production and In-Service Conformity 

 

The Conformity of Production (CoP) and In-Service Conformity (ISC) requirements that apply to GB light-duty emissions approvals, are those of the Euro 6d-ISC-FCM standard. As such, all associated CoP and ISC testing will be assessed by VCA in accordance with this retained standard, with reference to the vehicle’s certificate of conformity. Until 1st July 2026, there is a derogation to permit the use of EU-format CoCs in GB. Where a vehicle is to be placed on the GB market using an EU CoC with Euro 6e derived values, the individual vehicle’s CoP and ISC may be assessed against Euro 6e values. 

Application of EU Commission Notice Guidance 2023/C 68/01 in GB

VCA shall take into consideration the Commission’s guidance for all light- and heavy-duty emissions GB approval applications. This will form part of VCA’s assessment of emission strategies, defeat devices, and anti-tampering measures, facilitated through an extended documentation package provided by the manufacturer.

The guidance will be considered by VCA for EU, UN, GB, and UK(NI) emissions approvals, where requirements and test procedures for the emissions type are, or are equivalent to:

• ‘Euro 6d*’ or ‘Euro 6e’; or
• UN R83.08, UN R154, UNR RDE; or
• Euro VI, steps A-E.

The specific application of the guidance’s contents will be discussed with each manufacturer. Please contact aes.bes@vca.gov.uk for more information.