IWVTA is an internationally recognised whole vehicle type approval scheme within the revised 1958 Agreement framework. It establishes mutual recognition of vehicle type approvals at the whole vehicle level across Contracting Parties, eliminating requirements for further testing, documentation, or certification for safety, environment, energy, and anti-theft. IWVTA comprises two approaches: U-IWVTA applies the highest stringency of latest UN Regulations, while L-IWVTA permits omissions or lower stringency versions. The scope is limited to passenger cars. Merits include simplified type approval systems, reduced testing and administrative costs, and shortened processing times.
The agenda includes welcome and opening remarks, introduction of participants, adoption of the agenda, report of the 27th meeting (TFSR-27-03), way forward (GRE-91-14), review of GRE-94 report (GRE-94-18), proposals for R.E.5 including H11 LEDr (entered-into-force November 2024 GRE-90-02), H8 LEDr, H16 LEDr, HB4 LEDr (entered-into-force March 2026), front fog types, high beam types, low beam types, clarification of UN R37 requirements for LEDr, enforcement and market surveillance issues (TFSR-26-04,) preparation of GRE-95 status report, any other business, and next meetings.
The informal group acknowledged that UN regulations imply interoperability and require mutual recognition. Approval tests can only simulate the reality, i.e. cannot capture all real world situations.