Summary

This market research report covers regulatory requirements applicable to cars and car components to be exported to the European Union (EU) based on the new Motor Vehicle Framework Directive 2007/46/EC (MVFD).   The recently adopted MVFD takes an important step towards further regulatory harmonization and broadens the scope of existing legislation, extending approval requirements to nearly all road vehicles.  Its changes do not immediately enter into force; instead, a phased-in enforcement period exists, stretching from April 2009 to October 2014 depending on the category of vehicle in question.  In the meantime, existing directive 70/156/EEC and amendments remain in force.

The approval process involves interaction with different bodies prior to bringing cars or car components on the EU market.   Typically, a national approval authority conducts assessment for EU-wide type approval whereas designated technical services are in charge of testing and certification.  The process affects whole vehicles as well as components such as rearview windows, steering wheels, axles, among others.  The latter are covered in separate directives which are not elaborated in this report.