GB Type Approval Scheme

This page was last updated on 20th August 2024

Heavy-Duty Emissions and CO2 Approvals for GB Type Approval

Heavy-duty emissions and CO2 requirements within GB type approval are based on retained Regulation (EC) 595/2009 and its implementing regulations, Regulation (EU) 582/2011 and Regulation (EU) 2017/2400. These regulations set out the requirements for measurement of emissions, and CO2 and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles and their components respectively.

Heavy-Duty Emissions

Retained legislation sets the current requirements for heavy-duty emissions type approval in Great Britain at Euro VI-D level. In applying for GB type approval for heavy-duty emissions of a vehicle, component, or separate technical unit (STU), evidence should be supplied demonstrating compliance with Euro VI-D emissions levels at a minimum.

Heavy-duty vehicles, components and STUs tested according to Euro VI-E specification for the purposes of type approval in the EU or other markets are deemed to comply with retained GB Euro VI-D requirements. As such, test reports and other approval documentation referencing Euro VI-E requirements will be acceptable for the purposes of GB type approval applications.

Assessment of extended documentation packages (‘AES/BES documents’) is required as part of the GB type approval process. For more information on VCA’s process for assessing emissions strategy documentation as part of the GB type approval scheme, please refer to Emissions strategy assessment for GB type approval.

UNECE Type Approvals for Heavy-Duty Emissions

UNECE type approvals can be used as an alternative to obtaining GB system, component or STU approval for heavy duty emissions.

In this case, a set of approvals to the following regulations is required to demonstrate equivalence to retained GB standards:

UN Regulation Number	Series of amendments*
49	07
85	00
24	03

*Approvals to subsequent series of amendments to those listed will also be accepted.

In the case that UNECE type approvals are utilised, all aspects of the approval including extended documentation packages will be accepted at face value without further assessment by VCA, and CoP and in-service conformity obligations will be to the granting Type Approval Authority of the UNECE type approval in question.

Heavy-Duty CO2 and Fuel Consumption

Type approval covering the determination of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles is also required as part of the GB type approval scheme under the requirements of retained Regulation (EU) 2017/2400.

The retained regulation covers the original EU scope of N2 vehicles with a technically permissible maximum laden mass exceeding 7500kg, and all N3 vehicles, with exemptions relating to off-road, special purpose, and multi-stage vehicles. Buses (M category) and trailers (O category) are not within scope of GB type approval requirements at this time.

GB type approval covering a “License to Operate the Simulation Tool” must be obtained by all manufacturers of vehicles within scope of the regulation as described above. However, as part of the phase-in of GB type approval requirements manufacturers may continue to use EU component certifications (covering engines, transmissions, air drag etc.) as part of their vehicle simulations, provided that the components or systems concerned were certified prior to 31^st December 2026.

Manufacturers should continue to utilise the latest versions of the VECTO simulation tool and subsidiary calculation tools for component data as per EU requirements. Simulations conducted using the latest versions of these tools will be accepted for the purposes of GB type approval.

Manufacturers holding GB type approval for a “License to Operate” will be subject to legislated CoP provisions, including quarterly assessments of simulation process and annual verification testing procedure (VTP) testing. Annual VTP testing for the purposes of GB type approval does not need to be witnessed by VCA or designated technical services, but the test data and associated reporting will be reviewed by our CoP department as part of ongoing compliance assessment. VTP testing may be conducted on EU vehicles and combined with EU approval activities where approval specifications are common between EU and GB.