Certification Introduction

The EU market for motor vehicles and their components implements a mandatory access system. Complete vehicles require Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA), and components circulated and sold separately require individual E-mark certification. After passing certification, products can be legally sold and registered in all 27 EU member states, and are also accepted in non-EU countries that recognize EU rules such as Norway and Switzerland. Small-batch models with an annual output of ≤1500 units can apply for a simplified certification process.

Laws and Regulations

The core overriding regulation is Regulation (EU) 2018/858, which replaces the original 2007/46/EC framework and uniformly manages type approval for all M, N and O category motor vehicles. Supporting special regulations include Emission Regulation EU 2017/1151, Vehicle Recovery Regulation 2005/64/EC, and specific test requirements mainly follow the UN ECE series of technical regulations. The EU adopts a unified certification framework, and all member states implement exactly the same requirements. Certified products do not need to apply for additional national certification, only need to complete local registration and filing.

Technical Requirements

Safety Performance: Active safety must comply with the requirements of UN R152 (Automatic Emergency Braking), passive safety complies with the requirements of UN R94 (frontal collision), UN R95 (side collision), UN R127 (pedestrian protection), and lighting components must meet UN R112 and UN R87 standards. Environmental Compliance: WLTP cycle emissions comply with the limits of EU 2017/1151, noise meets the requirements of UN R51.03, the recyclable rate of vehicle materials is not less than 85%, and products must also meet the restricted substance requirements of EU REACH regulation. New Technology Requirements: Power batteries for electric vehicles comply with UN R100 safety standard, charging interfaces are compatible with IEC 62196, and intelligent connected vehicles need to meet the requirements of UN R155 (cybersecurity) and UN R160 (data recording).

Certification Process

Clarify product classification, sort out corresponding applicable regulations, and prepare complete technical documents, including product parameters, component compliance certificates, production consistency control plan, and declaration of conformity;

Submit application materials to a technical service body recognized by an EU member state, complete document review and test plan formulation;

Send samples to complete all test items required by regulations, then accept the on-site factory inspection for production consistency;

After all links pass the review, the certification certificate is issued by the competent authority of the EU member state, and the product can be launched on the market after affixing the corresponding compliance mark.

WANVE provides one-stop full compliance support for enterprise export.