Are you familiar with the emissions and crash regulations in every single country? You’re not? Well, we are!
In order to ensure a smooth market launch or approval, vehicles, vehicle components and vehicle systems have to meet certain country-specific requirements. All components and parts of the vehicle are checked to determine whether they comply with certain approval regulations. This presents a real challenge due to the ever-growing number of rules and standards. If they meet the criteria, they are issued a certificate. This process is known as homologation, and it requires tried and trusted experts.
That’s where we come in.
How you benefit at CEIS
Longstanding experience
Adept at tapping into markets
Quality and dependability
Test and certification specialists for Germany, Europe and beyond
Challenges in homologation
Requirements vary widely around the world and are subject to frequent changes. While some countries do not have any stipulations for approvals, others (like the EU and Japan) have very strict regulations indeed. In some cases, the guidelines are so complex and wide-ranging that technical implementation for vehicles requires extensive advance planning. We manage the entire process on your behalf, guiding you from the initial steps through to technical execution.
Our homologation services
Determination of the technical and statutory requirements of the respective target markets
Assistance with obtaining approvals for vehicles, vehicle components or systems in accordance with the road traffic licensing authority, the EU Directives and ECE Regulations and other international laws and homologation standards
Creation of the documents in several languages, according to the legal specifications and manufacturer’s requirements
Determination of the required scope of testing and approval according to the relevant guidelines
Handling arrangements with the applicable authorities (e.g. Federal Office for Motor Traffic (KBA), National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI))
Planning for the necessary tests and efficient implementation in order to obtain permits
We can handle homologation on your behalf in the following areas
We offer our services for vehicles in categories M (cars, buses), N (lorries), O (trailers), L (motorbikes and light three- and four-wheelers) and T (agricultural and forestry tractors).
Category M
Category M
Category N
Category 0
Category L
Category T
Make the most of our specialists’ experience and ensure successful certification.
Do you have any questions about homologation?
Just get in touch! Our experts are always available for a non-binding consultation.
In its original sense, homologation is a set of rules for competition purposes. These stipulate a minimum number of vehicles and must be adhered to by manufacturers of a particular car model in order for the car to be assigned to a specific category. These days, however, the term is used to describe a wide-ranging approval procedure in which regulations are used as a basis for checking whether the performance characteristics of vehicles are such that they can be approved and granted a certificate of homologation.
Most of the vehicle approval regulations stem from the Road Traffic Permit Act (StVZO) provisions. In present-day law, the European legal system takes precedence within the EU. Over 40 ‘system approvals’ are required for vehicle licensing. These describe a vehicle in terms of components like brakes, lights, seats, seatbelts and windows, to name but a few. Only when exhaustive descriptions of these systems and the associated tests are complete can you apply for full approval.
The development of new technologies such as autonomous driving has resulted in new regulations and standards in homologation. Homologation takes a massive leap in the transition from assisted (SAE Level 2) to automated driving (SAE Level 3), as responsibility for driving is transferred from the driver to the vehicle itself. As such, the safety and functionality of automated driving features for the specific application need to be ensured and confirmed by an independent body.
Why is homologation necessary?
Homologation is becoming an increasingly pressing concern, especially for the automotive industry. To be eligible for approval, vehicles have to be configured in such a way that they comply with country-specific legal requirements. Operating licences that are in accordance with the regulations of the countries for which they are intended are essential for international sales of motor vehicles and their components.
How much does homologation cost?
The costs of homologation are calculated on the basis of the effort involved, so it can be difficult to provide a general estimate. The amount of work required will depend on factors including the model in question and the target market for which the process is to be conducted.
How long does homologation take?
The time taken for homologation can vary greatly. The key thing is the scope, which will depend on the model and the target market for which homologation is required.
For which vehicles do you offer homologation?
We offer homologation for vehicles in categories M (cars, buses), N (lorries), O (trailers), L (motorbikes and light three- and four-wheelers) and T (agricultural and forestry tractors). However, we mainly focus on homologation for cars.
Why should I entrust the homologation process to CEIS?
It makes sense to outsource the homologation process to CEIS, as our employees can draw upon many years of experience and offer complete dependability. They also stay abreast of changes to national legislation in European countries and amendments to the relevant laws. Only employees who speak the language of the respective country or target market – usually as their mother tongue – deal with homologation processes for those locations. This ensures that everything goes as smoothly as possible and has the greatest chance of success.
For which markets do you offer homologation?
We offer homologation for Germany, elsewhere in Europe and the rest of the world (RoW).