The UK is set to see major changes to the way it regulates vehicles as a new strategy comes into force aimed at ensuring drivers meet the highest safety and environmental standards.
Proposed changes by the Department for Transport come as experts call for vehicles to have a flexible and adaptable type approval regime.
The regime, which is now “more important” than ever, will look at the innovation and progress made in the car sector.
It is hoped that the changes will help provide the necessary framework to support the transition to electric vehicles and meet the 2035 target.
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DfT set out detailed plan for changing regulation framework
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Previously it was down to the European Commission to regulate the car industry, but since leaving the EU, the Government is looking to “rethink” the way vehicles are dealt with.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper commented on the new proposals, saying: “Now that the UK has left the EU, we can rethink vehicle regulation.
“We have the freedom to create a system that meets the needs of manufacturers and consumers in the UK.
But that doesn’t mean we will cast aside the things that already work well. Type approval provides necessary regulatory certainty to manufacturers and ensures UK citizens can be confident that new vehicles are safe and environmentally sound and that enforcement action will be taken where non-compliances are found.”
The Government has proposed three changes:
- Standardisation through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- A flexible approach to recognising standards and testing elsewhere in the world
- explore the potential for bespoke domestic requirements or processes, where this benefits Great Britain
The first change looks at the regulations which cover between 75-80 per cent of subject areas for passenger vehicles in the GB type approval scheme.
As part of this, the Government would aim to reduce the resources and costs required from negotiating to regulations becoming law.
Another measure would focus on what to do when international standards aren’t available for vehicles.
In this case, the Government will “deregulate” low-risk areas to permit acceptance of alternative national standards.
This approach will include EU standards and other jurisdictions while still allowing manufacturers to seek approval in “multiple markets” using a single test report and avoid any repeat testing.
In the final proposal, it looks at the way domestic legislation can benefit the UK car industry.
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Final plans are expected to be unveiled later this year
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The Department for Transport said it will continue to consult with the DVSA to come up with a finalised plan which will be rolled out later this year.