typekeuring

Typekeuring is the formal assessment process by which a vehicle type or a related product is evaluated to ensure it complies with regulatory requirements before it can be marketed or registered. In the Dutch and broader European context, typekeuring refers to type approval of a complete vehicle, a vehicle family, or specific components, allowing the product to be sold or registered across EU member states.

The process is governed by European and international regulations. The EU uses a framework that includes Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (the general type-approval Regulation) and various UNECE regulations incorporated into European directives. A vehicle or component may undergo Whole Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) for an entire model or a component type approval for parts such as brakes, airbags, lighting, or emissions systems. Notified bodies and national authorities, such as the Dutch RDW, perform the testing and assessment.

During typekeuring, a manufacturer provides extensive technical documentation and may submit prototypes for testing. Tests cover safety, environmental performance, emissions, noise, and conformity with relevant standards. If the design meets all requirements, a type-approval certificate is issued, and the product receives a type designation and, for vehicles, an EC type-approval mark. This approval enables sale and registration within the EU without re-testing in each country.

Changes to an approved type, such as design modifications or new variants, may require an amendment or a new approval. Enforcing authorities may require ongoing conformity checks after market entry. Typekeuring thus serves as the formal gatekeeping ensuring that motor vehicles and certain components meet harmonized safety and environmental criteria.