European and regional regulations impose strict criteria for the production of buses of all types and sizes. This also applies for the corresponding components, systems and technical units. Both coaches travelling thousands of kilometres and school buses must meet a series of requirements in relation to safety and the environment. Those are set out in a European framework directive.

What you need to know

As a bus manufacturer, you do not only have to meet these requirements, but you also have to make sure your production is in accordance with the approved types (see Audit & Certification). In order to prove that you meet the imposed requirements, both the vehicle and the production process are subjected to a series of tests. These are performed at the manufacturer’s plant or at a third party.

Once the bus meets these requirements, it can be registered and used in every EU member state. The measure is known as the EC whole vehicle type approval scheme (ECWVTA), whereby approval means that one EU member state confirms that a vehicle type, system, component or technical unit meets all relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements.

Who we do it for

Our solutions are designed especially for all manufacturers (Belgian or international) of buses, coaches, public transport buses (vehicle category M2 and M3), etcetera, both for ECWVTA and for type approval of national small series (NSSTA). Producers of vehicle components and technical units which are governed by the same legislation also benefit from our solutions, e.g. manufacturers of mechanical couplings, rear underrun protection, etc.

Relevant legislation and standards
  • Framework directive 2007/46/EC and/or EU Regulation2018/858 for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles;
  • 1958 Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – motor vehicles, equipment and components that can be used and added to motor vehicles.
  • The following regulatory acts: UN Regulations 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 28, 34, 39, 43, 46, 48, 55, 58, 66, 79, 80, 89, 100, 107, 118, 121, 122, (EU) 1003/2010, (EU) 1005/2010, (EU) 1230/2012, (EU) 130/2012, (EU) 19/2011, (EU) 458/2011, (EU) 540/2014, (EU) 661/2009, (EU) 2019/2144
About Vinçotte (member of Kiwa Group)

Vinçotte is an ISO/IEC 17020 inspection body accredited by Belac, the Belgian Accreditation institution. We are notified by the Belgian authorities (e6/E6) to the European Commission and the European Economic Commission of the United Nations (UNECE) as a Technical Service in category B, C and D. This notification allows Vinçotte to conduct international inspections on all tests specified in the European framework directive 2007/46/EC and the related regulations set out in Annex IV.

Advantages

Vinçotte’s ‘Bus type approval’ offers you a total service package, including worst-case meetings, surveillance tests, drawing up official test reports, as well as assistance in the certification process. Our File Management System makes sure that confidential information and certificates are securely shared between the three parties: the manufacturer, the technical department and the authorities.

As an accredited technical service Vinçotte maintains good relations with the Belgian authorities. These close ties, combined with our experience, guarantee a smooth handling of your approval project. After the successful completion of the approval process you receive all documents you need for the production start, sale and registration of your vehicles, components and technical units. We also have useful international contacts which may be very helpful in obtaining approval information and assistance on foreign markets.