Typgenehmigt

Typgenehmigt is a designation used in German-speaking regulatory contexts to indicate that the design of a product has undergone formal assessment and meets the applicable technical and safety requirements set by a competent authority. It is commonly applied to mass-produced goods such as motor vehicles, electrical equipment, machinery, and consumer electronics, for which a single type is produced in large quantities.

Process and scope: A Typgenehmigung (type approval) is issued after a manufacturer submits a technical dossier, design and performance data, and test results to a national authority or an appointed testing body. The product type is evaluated against specific standards or EU/UNECE regulations. If the assessment is successful, the authority issues a Typgenehmigung certificate or notification. The approval typically covers the entire model line and allows marketing within the relevant jurisdiction. Producers must ensure ongoing conformity through production controls (conformity of production) and may undergo periodic inspections.

In Europe, type approval is the basis for placing many products on the market; for vehicles, it is governed by EU type-approval rules and related UNECE regulations, authorizing sale of model-wide versions across the EU/EEA. For other products, type approval may be required under national laws or EU directives, and compliance may be demonstrated by CE marking or other approved marks. In some contexts, the term is used interchangeably with “type-certification.”

Changes to a typgenehmigte design or updates often require a new or amended type approval. Non-compliance can result in withdrawal of the approval and restrictions on sales or use.