Submission from the IWVTA informal group.

Proposal submitted by the informal working group on the International Whole Vehicle Type Approval for the establishment of UN Regulation No. 0 regarding the approval of whole vehicles within the framework of the 1958 Agreement. The regulations would establish an International Whole Vehicle Type Approval (IWVTA) scheme whereby Contracting Parties adhering to the Regulation may issue approvals to either a limited level (L-IWVTA) or to a wider range of technical topics included in the universal level (U-IWVTA). Contracting Parties are able to apply the limited or universal IWVTA depending upon the national situation.

The Universal-IWVTA (U-IWVTA) provides a greater level of certainty for vehicle manufacturers and Contracting Parties applying this UN Regulation, as the approval has to be accepted without further assessment of the technical items covered by the U-IWVTA issued. Contracting Parties applying this UN Regulation are not obliged to accept approvals to the limited level (L-IWVTA) but may do so at their choice. However, they have also to accept approvals issued pursuant to U-IWVTA.

The UN Regulation includes the administrative obligations of the IWVTA scheme. It does not establish separate technical requirements but instead refers to the provisions of the separate UN Regulations.