UNECE Type Approval

UNECE type approval is based upon the international 1958 Agreement concerning the Adoption of Harmonized Technical United Nations Regulations for Wheeled Vehicles, Equipment and Parts which can be Fitted and/or be Used on Wheeled Vehicles and the Conditions for Reciprocal Recognition of Approvals Granted on the Basis of these United Nations Regulations.

The UK is a contracting party to this agreement and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is the designated UK Type Approval Authority for the associated UN regulations. VCA issued UN type approvals are accepted by all other contracting parties to the regulation in question, including for use in GB and EU whole vehicle type approvals.

UN regulations cover all vehicle categories, including non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) engines and are primarily focused on vehicle systems and components. UN Regulation 0 has introduced the concept of International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) for M1 category vehicles within the UNECE framework, but the practical application of IWVTA approvals is currently limited in global markets.