GB Type Approval Scheme
This page was last updated on 20th August 2024- GB Type Approval Scheme Overview
- Scope and Timings
- Administrative Guidance for Applicants
- Technical Guidance for Applicants
- Approval Fees
- Light-Duty Emissions Approvals for GB Type Approval
- Heavy-Duty Emissions and CO2 Approvals for GB Type Approval
- Emissions Strategy Assessment for GB Type Approval
- GB Type Approval Scheme FAQs
Technical Guidance for Applicants
Introduction
This guide provides details on the technical requirements of the GB type approval scheme as they apply to whole vehicle, system, and component type approvals.
Note – this page does not cover information relating to Conformity of Production (CoP). For more information on GB CoP requirements, please refer to our Introduction of Conformity of Production for the GB / UK(NI) Schemes.
Technical Services and evidence of compliance
Evidence of compliance with GB type approval requirements will primarily be demonstrated through the use of test reports from VCA-designated Technical Services.
For an initial period following the launch of the GB type approval scheme, a derogation is in place that enables VCA to accept test reports from any Technical Service designated by an EU Type Approval Authority for the subject in question. This derogation runs until the 31 December 2026 for M & N category vehicles, and 31 December 2027 for O category vehicles. After the expiry of this derogation, new test reports and technical evidence must come from VCA-designated Technical Services to be accepted.
Further reading: Designation of Technical Services for GB type approval
Worst-casing applied to testing for GB type approval is the responsibility of the Technical Service and should be detailed in test reports or in additional documentation as part of an application. Worst-casing should comply with VCA technical interpretations and policy, the details of which are available through our VISTA legislation management system.
All test reports supplied as part of GB type approval applications must demonstrate compliance with the specified test procedure and report and test results in full. In the case where test reports from Technical Services only cover a basic compliance statement, accompanying laboratory reports should be supplied to enable VCA to make a full assessment of compliance with legislative requirements.
It is permissible for testing in support of GB type approval applications to have been completed on EU vehicles if the EU specification is representative of the GB specification being applied for.
Manufacturer drawings may be used to supplement an EU test report where there is no change to specification beyond design details. An example of this may be statutory plate where technical requirements are confirmed against an EU design of plate, but carried over to a GB plate that is the same in all respects other than specific lettering on the plate.
Test reports, associated technical documentation, and approval documentation should be provided in English, to enable VCA to make a complete assessment of the application.
Whole vehicle type approval guidance
Whole vehicle type approval in the GB type approval scheme is governed by the Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2018/858 framework as amended. Approval to 2007/46 is no longer possible as this Directive was not retained after Brexit, so new GB type approvals must be granted to 2018/858 level even if the equivalent EU type approval remains at 2007/46 level.
Physical inspections by VCA are not required prior to granting of whole vehicle type approval, though this may be performed during technical assessment as part of an application at the discretion of the Technical Service.
Certificates of Conformity (CoCs)
A GB CoC template is defined in Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2020/683 as amended and this template must be utilised if producing bespoke GB CoCs.
If not clear from information documents and test reports, evidence of CoC security features should be supplied alongside whole vehicle type approval applications.
Until 6th July 2026, in cases where a given vehicle type also holds EU type approval, manufacturers have the option to provide an EU CoC with GB vehicles instead of a GB CoC. In these cases the CoC should be populated as per the details and data of the EU type approval of the vehicle type.
Additional Manufacturer & Importer Labels
The GB type approval framework requires that in addition to statutory plates or approval markings, manufacturers and (where applicable) importers indicate their name, registered trade name or registered trademark, and contact address in Great Britain on the vehicle, component, or separate technical unit. Where it is not possible for these labels or markings to be applied directly to a component or separate technical unit, they may be applied to packaging or accompanying documentation as an alternative.
Multi-Stage Approval Applications
In order to provide more flexibility for multi-stage vehicle manufacturers, a derogation has been implemented within the GB type approval framework that enables multi-stage applications to be made which continue to reference EU type approvals for base vehicles. This derogation is in effect until 31st July 2026 for M and N category vehicles, and 31st July 2027 for O category vehicles, and will enable multi-stage vehicle manufacturers to transition to GB type approval without being reliant on base vehicle manufacturers having done so first.
NOTE: This derogation does not apply to multi-stage applications made by a single manufacturer or connected group of manufacturers.
Once GB multi-stage approvals are in place, a streamlined process has been implemented to permit changeover of base vehicle approvals from EU to GB type approvals without the need for extension of the multi-stage approval in question. This will follow the same application process as other ‘base vehicle update’ applications made for multi-stage applications, and will require a Technical Service to confirm that the base vehicle approvals being switched from EU to GB have no technical impact on the latter stages of completion.
Subject specific guidance
The table below provides a breakdown of all of the type approval subjects forming part of the GB type approval framework, and any specific guidance relating to applications for that particular subject. Subjects not listed in the table do not currently form part of the GB type approval scheme and as such are not required to be assessed as part of a GB whole vehicle type approval application.
This table is intended to provide guidance only, for a definitive reference of GB type approval requirements manufacturers must refer to GB type approval legislation.
| Item | Subject | GB regulatory act reference | Accepted equivalent type approvals | Additional guidance/comments |
| 1A | Sound level (+ AVAS and replacement silencers) | Regulation (EU) No 540/2014 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R51.03 (Sound level) | – |
| UN R138.01 (AVAS) | ||||
| UN R59.02 (Replacement silencers) | ||||
| 2A | Light-duty emissions | Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R24.03 (diesel smoke) | See:
and |
| UN R83.08 (emissions) | ||||
| UN R85.00 (engine power) | ||||
| UN R154.02 (WLTP) | ||||
| UN R168.00 (RDE) | ||||
| 3A | Prevention of fire risks (liquid fuel tanks) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 34 |
– | – |
| 3B | Rear underrun protective devices (RUPDs) and their installation; rear underrun protection (RUP) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 58 |
– | – |
| 4A | Space for mounting and fixing rear registration plates | Regulation (EU) No 1003/2010 as amended by SI 2024/146 | – | GB regulation 1003/2010 permits use of either original 1003/2010 specification or EU GSRII specification for rear registration plate. GB type approval to 1003/2010 is still required regardless of which specification is used, EU GSRII approvals are not accepted. |
| 5A | Steering equipment | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 79 |
– | – |
| 6A | Vehicle access and manoeuvrability (steps, running boards and handholds) | Regulation (EU) No 130/2012 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 6B | Door latches and door retention components | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 11 |
– | – |
| 7A | Audible warning devices and signals | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 28 |
– | – |
| 8A | Devices for indirect vision and their installation | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 46 |
– | – |
| 9A | Braking of vehicles and trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 13 |
– | – |
| 9B | Braking of passenger cars | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 13-H |
UN R140.00 (ESC) | – |
| 10A | Electromagnetic compatibility | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 10 |
– | – |
| 12A | Interior fittings | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 21 |
– | – |
| 13A | Protection of motor vehicles against unauthorised use | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 18 |
– | – |
| 13B | Protection of motor vehicles against unauthorised use | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 116 |
UN R161.00 (Locking systems) | – |
| UN R162.00 (Immobilizers) | ||||
| UN R163.00 (Alarm systems) | ||||
| 14A | Protection of the driver against the steering mechanism in the event of impact | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 12 |
– | – |
| 15A | Seats, their anchorages and any head restraints | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 17 |
– | – |
| 15B | Seats of large passenger vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 80 |
– | – |
| 16A | External projections | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 26 |
– | – |
| 17A | Vehicle access and manoeuvrability (reverse gear) | Regulation (EU) No 130/2012 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 17B | Speedometer equipment including its installation | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 39 |
– | – |
| 18A | Manufacturer’s statutory plate and VIN | Regulation (EU) No 19/2011 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | GB regulation permits standalone GB type approval statutory plate or alternative designs based on an EU statutory plate with additional information. Refer to regulation for more detail. |
| 19A | Safety-belt anchorages, Isofix anchorages systems and Isofix top tether anchorages | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 14 |
– | UN R145 approvals should be provided to demonstrate compliance with ISOFIX requirements if not covered by UN R14 approval. |
| 20A | Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 48 |
– | UN R48 approvals including UN R148, R149 and R150 component approvals are acceptable. |
| 21A | Retro-reflecting devices for power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 3 |
– | – |
| 22A | Front and rear position lamps, stop-lamps and end-outline marker lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 7 |
– | – |
| 22B | Daytime running lamps for power-driven vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 87 |
– | – |
| 22C | Side-marker lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 91 |
– | – |
| 23A | Direction indicators for power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 6 |
– | – |
| 24A | Illumination of rear-registration plates of power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 4 |
– | – |
| 25A | Power-driven vehicle’s sealed-beam headlamps (SB) emitting an European asymmetrical passing beam or a driving beam or both | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 31 |
– | – |
| 25B | Filament lamps for use in approved lamp units of power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 37 |
– | – |
| 25C | Motor vehicle headlamps equipped with gas-discharge light sources | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 98 |
– | – |
| 25D | Gas-discharge light sources for use in approved gas-discharge lamp units of power-driven vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 99 |
– | – |
| 25E | Motor vehicle headlamps emitting an asymmetrical passing beam or a driving beam or both and equipped with filament lamps and/or LED modules | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 112 |
– | – |
| 25F | Adaptive front-lighting systems (AFS) for motor vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 123 |
– | – |
| 26A | Power-driven vehicle front fog lamps | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 19 |
– | – |
| 27A | Towing device | Regulation (EU) No 1005/2010 as amended by SI 2021/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 28A | Rear fog lamps for power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 38 |
– | – |
| 29A | Reversing lights for power-driven vehicles and their trailers | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 23 |
– | – |
| 30A | Parking lamps for power-driven vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 77 |
– | – |
| 31A | Safety-belts, restraint systems, child restraint systems and Isofix child restraint systems | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 16 |
– | – |
| 32A | Forward field of vision | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 125 |
– | – |
| 33A | Location and identification of hand controls, tell-tales and indicators | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 121 |
– | – |
| 34A | Windscreen defrosting and demisting systems | Regulation (EU) No 672/2010 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 35A | Windscreen wiper and washer systems | Regulation (EU) No 1008/2010 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | Separate technical units which also hold EU type approval and are manufactured prior to 1st February 2026 do not require g11 approval marking.
EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 36A | Heating systems | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 122 |
– | – |
| 37A | Wheel guards | Regulation (EU) No 1009/2010g | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 38A | Head restraints (headrests), whether or not incorporated in vehicle seats | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 25 |
– | – |
| 41A | Heavy-duty emissions | Regulation (EC) No 595/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R49.07 (emissions) | See:
and |
| UN R24.03 (diesel smoke) | ||||
| UN R85.00 (engine power) | ||||
| 41B | CO2 simulation tool licence (heavy-duty vehicles) | Regulation (EC) No 595/2009 and Regulation (EU) No 2017/2400 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | See: |
| 42A | Lateral protection of goods vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 73 |
– | – |
| 43A | Spray suppression systems | Regulation (EU) No 109/2011 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | Separate technical units which also hold EU type approval and are manufactured prior to 1st February 2026 do not require g11 approval marking.
EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 44A | Masses and dimensions (M1 category vehicles) | Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 45A | Safety glazing materials and their installation on vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 43 |
– | – |
| 46A | Installation of tyres | Regulation (EU) No 458/2011 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R142.01 (all cases) | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| UN R142.00 (not covering tailers or vehicles fitted with C3 tyres) | ||||
| 46B | Pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers (Class C1) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 30 |
– | – |
| 46C | Pneumatic tyres for commercial vehicles and their trailers (Classes C2 and C3) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 54 |
– | – |
| 46D | Tyre rolling sound emissions, adhesion on wet surfaces and rolling resistance (Classes C1, C2 and C3) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 117 |
– | – |
| 46E | Temporary-use spare unit, run-flat tyres/system and tyre pressure monitoring system | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 64 |
– | – |
| 47A | Speed limitation of vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 89 |
– | – |
| 48A | Masses and dimensions (categories other than M1) | Regulation (EU) No 1230/2012 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 49A | Commercial vehicles with regard to their external projections forward of the cab’s rear panel | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 61 |
– | – |
| 50A | Mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 55 |
– | – |
| 50B | Close-coupling device (CCD); fitting of an approved type of CCD | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 102 |
– | – |
| 51A | Burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 118 |
– | – |
| 52A | Construction of M2 and M3 vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 107 |
– | – |
| 52B | Strength of the superstructure of large passenger vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 66 |
– | – |
| 53A | Protection of occupants in the event of a frontal collision | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 94 |
– | – |
| 54A | Protection of occupants in the event of lateral collision | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 95 |
– | – |
| 56A | Vehicles for the carriage of dangerous goods | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 105 |
– | – |
| 57A | Front underrun protective devices (FUPDs) and their installation; front underrun protection (FUP) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 93 |
– | – |
| 58 | Pedestrian protection (+ brake assist) | Regulation (EC) No 78/2009 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R127.00 (pedestrian protection) | – |
| UN R13-H (Supplement 9 to the original series and above) or R139 (brake assist) | ||||
| 59 | Recyclability | SI 2020/818 Schedule A1 as amended by SI 2022/1273
(Based upon Directive 2005/64/EC and UN R133) |
UN R133.00 | Compliance with the requirements of Article 4(2a) of Directive 2000/53/EC shall be demonstrated as part of the application either in the test report or via supplementary documentation from the manufacturer. |
| 61 | Air-conditioning systems | Directive 2006/40/EC | – | Standalone approval to this regulation is not required, covered by declaration of gas GWP<150 as part of whole vehicle application either in information document or separate attachment. |
| 62 | Hydrogen systems | Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | UN R134.00 | If utilising UN R134 approvals as equivalent, component approvals for hydrogen storage systems, automatic shut-off valves, check or non-return valves and thermally-activated pressure relieve devices is mandatory as a minimum. In addition, the obligatory material qualification of all components that are covered by Article 2(2) of Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 applies.
EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 63 | General Safety | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | – |
| 64 | Gear shift indicators | Regulation (EU) No 65/2012 | – | EU 2021/535 test reports covering this subject may be used as evidence due to equivalence of requirements. |
| 65 | Advanced emergency braking system | Regulation (EU) No 347/2012 | UN R131.01 | – |
| 66 | Lane departure warning system | Regulation (EU) No 351/2012 | UN R 130.00 | – |
| 67 | Specific components for liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) and their installation on motor vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 67 |
– | – |
| 68 | Vehicle alarm systems (VAS) | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 97 |
UN R162.00 (Immobilizers) | – |
| UN R163.00 (Alarm systems) | ||||
| 69 | Electric safety | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 100 |
– | – |
| 70 | Specific components for CNG and their installation on motor vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 110 |
– | – |
| 71 | Cab strength | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009
UN Regulation No 29 |
– | – |
| 72 | eCall system | Regulation (EU) 2015/758 as amended by SI 2022/1273 | – | Vehicle types which held GB Provisional type approval are not required to hold GB type approval for eCall systems. |
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