Minor changes exempt from new Type Approval rules

28th March 2013

Minor changes exempt from new Type Approval rules

A new Van Enhancement Scheme has been agreed for the industry that removes the requirement for UK-based van manufacturers and bodybuilders to seek Type Approval on basic vehicle modifications. 

Under legislation set to hit N1 category vehicles from April this year (and N2 vehicles from October 2014), any modification would have required separate Whole Vehicle Type Approval.  The Enhancement Scheme, secured by the SMMT with the VCA and VOSA, removes the requirement for basic modifications (ply-lining, basic racking, etc) to be approved.

 
Over the past 10 months the SMMT has worked with a group of van manufacturer and converter members, the VCA, VOSA and the Department for Transport to try and reduce the regulatory burden of Type Approval.  The process has achieved a result that will see around 80% of vans sold in the UK avoid the burdensome Type Approval requirements, with another 15% of the market benefitting from an enhanced process of application and approval of multiple vehicle types.

 “We have found a solution that works for all parties while maintaining safety standards for those converters making basic modifications to panel vans,” the SMMT’s Commercial Vehicle Manager Nigel Base said.  “This sort of administrative burden could have forced some firms out of business, but thanks to close collaboration with industry partners and government this will now be avoided.”