The secure internet database DETA for exchanging approval documentation between Contracting Parties of the 1958 Agreement has 41 notified Focal Points, approximately 132,000 uploaded approvals from 22 Technical Approval Authorities, and approximately 7,735 uploaded manufacturers. Migration to a new software version is underway with internal tests running and external testing with other Technical Approval Authorities just started. New features include two factor authentication, mailing and notification functions, adaptation of guidelines regarding notification, additional languages, and easier administrator adaptations. The acronym DETA shall retain its well-known usage with new meaning: Data Exchange for Transport Authorities.

The IWG on DETA held its 56th session on 18 June 2026, approving the provisional agenda and draft minutes of the 55th session. The group reported 132,000 approvals uploaded by 23 approval authorities. A new DETA software version under testing includes two-factor authentication, an email system replacing the ‘News’ section, and French and Spanish language support. The IWG agreed to change DETA’s meaning from “Database for the Exchange of Type Approval Documentation” to “Data Exchange for Transport Authorities”. Discussions addressed potential DETA use for sharing technical information on brake emissions and adding an attribute indicating the latest series of amendments for approvals. The next meeting is scheduled for 13 November 2026 in Paris.

The IWG on DETA held its 56th session on 18 June 2026. The group approved previous session minutes and noted 132,000 approvals uploaded by 23 approval authorities. A new DETA software version with two-factor-authentication, email features, and French and Spanish language options is being tested. The IWG agreed to change DETA’s meaning from “Database for the Exchange of Type Approval Documentation” to “Data Exchange for Transport Authorities”. The group discussed potential DETA use for sharing technical information on brake emissions and updating its Terms of Reference. An attribute to indicate the latest series of amendments for approvals was proposed for future consideration.

In GRPE, discussions regarding control of aftermarket brake components with regard to brake particle emissions have prompted CLEPA’s desire to have access to type approval information to enable development of these components. Vehicle manufacturers make considerable investment in deriving these data and a supplier typically does not offer all affected brake components making a simple compliance test more difficult. OICA and CLEPA members are coming closer to an agreement regarding the necessary data, reducing the amount of data to be shared. A similar situation has been identified between UN R13H and UN R90.

Questionnaire on DETA/IWVTA Workshop. Part 1: DETA session requests respondent’s name and organization, then asks about level of understanding of DETA session as high, moderate, or low; items needing more explanation; and suggestions to make DETA more attractive for 1958 Contracting Parties, 1998 Contracting Parties, 1997 Contracting Parties, approval holders, and other users. Part 2: IWVTA session asks about level of understanding of IWVTA session as high, moderate, or low; items needing more explanation; and for Authorities, how Regulation No. 0 could be improved to make IWVTA acceptable for use as part of vehicle type-approval process. The future workshop section asks about expectations for next workshop and suggestions on contents, timing, and length.

DETA is the secure internet database for exchanging type approval documentation between Contracting Parties of the 1958 Agreement, as required by Revision 3 of that Agreement. Currently hosted by Germany, DETA stores approval notices, extensions, refusals, withdrawals, and related documents including test reports and communications. Access is limited to registered users: Contracting Parties nominate a single DETA Focal Point to manage accounts; manufacturers and technical services request access via their approval authority. As of the workshop date, 41 Contracting Parties had notified their Focal Point, approximately 132,000 approvals were uploaded by 23 Type Approval Authorities, and approximately 7,735 manufacturers were registered.

The 1st DETA/IWVTA Joint Workshop is scheduled for June 17, 2026, 9:30–12:30 (CEST) as a hybrid meeting in Flensburg. The provisional agenda includes opening remarks from the DETA Chair, IWVTA Chair, and President of KBA. Part 1 covers DETA topics: what DETA is, a demonstration, ASEAN countries’ expectations, and ways to make DETA more attractive. Part 2 covers IWVTA topics: what IWVTA is, industry’s expectations, issuance and acceptance of IWVTA certificates in the EU, and ways to make IWVTA more attractive. The workshop concludes with any other business.

The document reports on ASEAN workshops held in March 2025 and January 2026 regarding vehicle type approval systems under the 1958 Agreement and UN Regulations. The Philippines raised concerns that not all UNR type approval certificates are available in the DETA database, with no prescribed timeline for uploading newly issued approvals or removing withdrawn certificates, and that access to DETA is limited to Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement. The Philippines proposes designating a national DETA focal point, securing official access for all regulatory authorities, requiring complete type approval certificate packages, and relaying concerns to WP.29/UN ECE Secretariat. Singapore and Thailand expressed interest in understanding DETA obligations and minimum commitments for Contracting Parties, and requested practical guidance on UN Regulations compliance.

The 56th meeting of the Informal Working Group on DETA is scheduled for 18 June 2026, 9:30-12:30 (CET), as a hybrid meeting at KBA office in Flensburg, Germany. The agenda includes approval of provisional agenda and draft minutes from the 55th session, state of play, new DETA software version, widening DETA’s scope including results from a 17 June DETA/IWVTA Joint Workshop and considerations on renaming DETA, potential use of DETA for sharing technical information regarding proposed GRPE UN Regulation on brake emission of non-original parts, potential update of IWG’s Terms of Reference, guidance on data exchange via DETA in context of UNR157 on ALKS, and adding an attribute in DETA to indicate latest series of amendments of approvals.

The IWG on DETA discussed system operations showing 118,000 uploaded approvals with 41 contracting parties accessing the platform. Topics included widening scope to non-1958 Agreement parties, potential regulation updates for brake emission parts, renaming DETA to reflect broader applications, guidance on data exchange for ADS vehicles, adding attributes for series compliance, and granting read-only access to candidate countries. A June workshop will promote IWVTA and DETA adoption.