EUROPA

SUMMARY

This Regulation lays down rules for the EC type-approval of the manufacturer’s statutory plate * and for the vehicle identification number *. It forms part of the implementation of the Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles.

Types of vehicles concerned

This Regulation applies to vehicles of category M, N and O, namely:

• motor vehicles designed and built for the carriage of passengers and having at least four wheels;
• motor vehicles intended and built for the transportation of goods and having at least four wheels;
• trailers (including semi-trailers).

Requirements for the manufacturer’s statutory plate

Each vehicle must be fitted with a statutory plate that shall consist (at the manufacturer’s discretion) either of:

• a rectangular sheet of metal;
• or a rectangular self-adhesive label.

The manufacturer’s statutory plate must contain certain items of information, including:

• the manufacturer’s company name;
• the vehicle type-approval number;
• the vehicle identification number;
• the technically admissible laden masses.

Requirements for the vehicle identification number (VIN)

The manufacturer must affix a VIN on each vehicle and ensure its traceability for 30 years. The VIN consists of:

• the world manufacturer identifier (WMI);
• the vehicle descriptor (VDS);
• the vehicle indicator section (VIS).

It must be affixed in an accessible position and be visible. It must be stamped so as not to disappear under normal conditions of use of the vehicle.

Provisions concerning EC type-approval

The vehicle manufacturer must submit an application for EC type-approval to the competent authority. The application must contain certain items of information, in particular:

• the brand and type of vehicle;
• the position and method of attachment of the manufacturer’s statutory plate;
• the location of the VIN.

If the competent authority deems that the vehicles complies with all requirements concerning the manufacturer’s statutory plate and the vehicle identification number of motor vehicles, it shall grant EC type-approval and issue a type-approval number pursuant to Directive 2007/46/EC.