European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA)

This page was last updated on 3rd November 2022

ECWVTAIf you make large numbers of vehicles each year and/or you plan to sell across Europe, ECWVTA is the best approval option.

The European approval scheme is based on the concept of ‘type approval’ and put simply; this process provides a mechanism for ensuring that vehicles meet relevant environmental, safety and security standards. As it is not practical to test every single vehicle made, therefore, samples are tested as being representative of the ‘type’. A number of performance requirements will apply to a given vehicle type ranging from tyres through to emissions and braking systems. To ensure a consistent approach, the test methodology is outlined in the relevant EC instrument or UN Regulation and the tests are carried out at an appropriate facility. If you are a vehicle manufacturer, your supply chain will probably have system and component approvals in place already.

Once all of the relevant system and component approvals are in place, the vehicle will be considered as a whole by a designated approval body. This assessment can take place at any appropriate facility, providing the appropriate equipment and environment are available. When combined with a current CoP Statement, a successful inspection accompanied by the submission of the relevant manufacturer’s information documents will result in the issue of a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval Certificate. Valid certification will be accepted throughout the EU without the need for further testing until a standard is updated or the design of the vehicle changes. Once a vehicle is approved, the manufacturer is able to produce a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) for each vehicle manufactured.