Commercial bodybuilders 'must prepare for Whole Vehicle Type Approval rules'

Date: 22/2/2012

Commercial bodybuilder companies have been reminded they may need to make changes ahead of the introduction of European Whole Vehicle Type Approval rules.

The new regulations will come into force on April 29th and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is urging small and medium-sized enterprises to ensure they are prepared.

They will affect any bodybuilders manufacturing Special Purpose Vehicles - from hearses to ambulances, motor caravans to wheelchair accessible motors.

SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt said Whole Vehicle Type approval is a "hugely important part of getting a vehicle on the road as it ensures that technical and safety standards are consistently met across Europe."

The rules bring together many individual Type Approval rules to create an industry standard.

From October 29th, the same regulations will also apply to the manufacture of complete and incomplete trucks.

According to the Department for Transport, such stringent rules are required in this area because road vehicles have a significant impact on society.

Posted by Mary Treen