Type approval of motor vehicles: transition EU28 to EU27

Brussels [ENA] EU ambassadors today agreed on a mandate to the presidency to negotiate with the European Parliament new rules aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for the type-approval of motor vehicles, as well as of systems, components and separate technical units intended for these vehicles, when the UK leaves the EU. The agreed text enables manufacturers of motor vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units

holding a UK type-approval to obtain a Union type-approval (i.e. a type-approval granted by an approval authority of one of the EU27), provided that the application for the Union type-approval is made before the UK's withdrawal from the EU. The draft regulation sets out the conditions for obtaining a Union type-approval and its effects on the placing on the market, registration or entry into service of such vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units.

It also states that the authority issuing the Union type-approval will assume responsibility for in-service conformity, repair and maintenance information and potential recalls also for vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units put on the market on the basis of the UK type-approval. End-of series vehicles, systems, components and separate units that were produced on the basis of UK-type approval, where this has become invalid as a result of granting Union type-approval, will be able to be placed on the market, registered or entered into service until the date of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The presidency will now start negotiations with the European Parliament with the aim of reaching agreement on the proposed regulation at first reading once the Parliament has finalised its position, which is expected by the end of this year. This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.