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Operators are being urged to discuss the forthcoming European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) regulations with their vehicle suppliers to make sure they are up to speed with the proposed changes.  ECWVTA has been in place since the 1970s for cars, but is being extended from April 2009 to cover all vehicle types, including trucks and trailers. Under the directive, which is being rolled out in phases, only one vehicle of each type needs to be tested and, once approved, large  numbers of the approved vehicle can be built and sold across the EU without further inspections.

Robin Dickeson, manager for CV affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, says: "Operators need to embrace ECWVTA as it will affect the way they work with dealers, manufacturers, and body builders. All parties will need to liaise with one another on a regular basis and each needs to make sure it knows what it's responsible for under the regulations."

Andy Mair, head of engineering policy at the FTA, agrees that operators do need to be aware of the regulations, despite not impacting on them directly. "There are a lot of costs involved with the process. Numerous quality systems will have to be put in place by manufacturers, so it could have a knock-on effect for operators." However, Tony Pain, marketing director at Daf, doesn't feel the costs will be that high, but warns that operators' level of choice may be impeded by the regulations.

"In simple terms  it's like having an MoT before the vehicle goes on the road and everything that's been added to that vehicle has to be traceable. So body builders will have to introduce some form of quality control, which I think the smaller ones will find too costly and will shut up shop, leading to more manufacturers offering body building," says Pain. "This legislation was the main reason Daf entered the body building space last year," he adds.

For more information on ECWVTA, contact the Vehicle Certification Agency on 0117 952 4126 or email.