Type Approval
A certification procedure confirming a vehicle type meets the technical requirements of a UN Regulation, necessary for market entry.
How the laws define this
At its core, type approval refers to an official regulatory process where an authority verifies that products meet established standards prior to commercial sale or registration. UN Regulation No. 155, UNECE WP.29 UN Regulation No. 156, and UN Regulation No. 157 agree that an authority—whether a national authority, regional authority, or Contracting Party to the 1958 Agreement—must certify compliance with regulatory requirements as a prerequisite for selling or registering vehicles in adhering markets. The frameworks diverge on the scope of what is approved and the specific standards evaluated. UN Regulation No. 155 focuses strictly on certifying a vehicle type against technical requirements. Conversely, UNECE WP.29 UN Regulation No. 156 and UN Regulation No. 157 extend approval to individual systems and components as well as vehicles. Furthermore, UNECE WP.29 UN Regulation No. 156 uniquely requires compliance with safety and environmental standards, obligating manufacturers to prove their Software Update Management System is robust, certified, and effectively implemented.
Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| International | UN Regulation No. 155 — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regards to cyber security and cyber security management system | In Force (Amended) | Emphasizes certification of cybersecurity management systems as a key requirement for type approval under UN Regulation No. 155. |
| International | UNECE WP.29 UN Regulation No. 156 — Software Updates and Software Update Management System | In Force | Focuses on verification of Software Update Management System (SUMS) robustness and implementation for type approval under UN Regulation No. 156. |
| International | UN Regulation No. 157 — Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to Automated Lane Keeping Systems | In Force (Amended) | Simplest definition, limiting scope to administrative provisions and technical requirements without specifying systems or components. |
What it triggers
- Under UN Regulation No. 155, manufacturers must implement certified cybersecurity management systems across the vehicle lifecycle to obtain type approval.source
- Under UN Regulation No. 156, manufacturers must demonstrate that their Software Update Management System is robust, certified, and effectively implemented to obtain type approval.source
- UN Regulation No. 157 concerns the approval of vehicles with regard to Automated Lane Keeping Systems.source
Definitions (3)
The procedure by which a Contracting Party to the 1958 Agreement certifies that a vehicle type meets the technical requirements of a specific UN Regulation, a prerequisite for selling vehicles in adhering markets. This approval process involves demonstrating compliance with all relevant regulatory provisions.
Type approval is a regulatory process where a national or regional authority verifies that a vehicle, system, or component meets all applicable technical, safety, and environmental standards before it can be sold or registered. For UN Regulation No. 156, obtaining type approval requires manufacturers to demonstrate that their Software Update Management System (SUMS) is robust, certified, and effectively implemented.
A system where a national authority certifies that a type of vehicle, system, or component satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements of a UN Regulation.
Questions and answers
What cybersecurity requirements apply under type approval for UN Regulation No. 155?
Type approval under UN Regulation No. 155 requires demonstrating compliance with cybersecurity management systems throughout the vehicle lifecycle. This is a prerequisite for selling vehicles in markets adhering to the regulation.
How does type approval work for software updates in vehicles?
For UN Regulation No. 156, type approval involves verifying that the Software Update Management System ensures safe, secure, and traceable updates. Manufacturers must show the system is robust and properly implemented.
What does type approval cover for automated driving systems?
UN Regulation No. 157 concerns the approval of vehicles with regard to Automated Lane Keeping Systems.