Small Volume Manufacturers (SVMs) are defined as manufacturers producing fewer than 10,000 M1 or 22,000 N1 vehicles annually in the European Union. Ultra Small Volume Manufacturers (USVMs) produce fewer than 1,000 vehicles annually. SVMs receive exemptions from certain systems and testing requirements, including OBM, EEEDWS, and OBFCM installations for M1 and N1 vehicles. Type approvals granted before July 1, 2030 remain valid. In-service conformity checks are not mandatory for SVMs.

The Level Concept distinguishes four levels of life cycle assessment for passenger cars based on intended use and data granularity. Level 1 uses generic data for strategy and research; Level 2 combines specific and generic data for product development; Level 3 uses primary data for specific vehicle models in official reporting; Level 4 uses primary data across entire supply chains. Levels 3 and 4 follow fixed methodologies ensuring comparability, while Levels 1 and 2 permit multiple methodology combinations.

This document proposes to establish an internationally harmonized methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions covering four life cycle stages: material production, parts production and vehicle assembly, use phase, and end-of-life treatment. The methodology employs a four-level framework corresponding to different data availability and analytical complexity, from generic research-level assessments to detailed company-specific reporting. It specifies requirements for data collection, energy modeling, allocation procedures, and recycling calculations, using metrics based on IPCC standards. The resolution document would provide non-binding guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, and authorities conducting vehicle carbon footprint studies.