News Archive

• 23.04.2021 Vehicle manufacturer, do you already meet these obligations?
• 20.04.2021 COP and approvals need to be adjusted after name change from BVBA to BV
• 08.07.2019 Consequences of the new emission requirements for multi-stage manufacturers
• 25.02.2019 Trailer registration in UK
• 01.02.2019 UK Type approvals after Brexit
• 31.01.2019 Fitting of R117 approved tyres
• 25.09.2017 National approval requirements agricultural trailers in Belgium and the Netherlands
• 21.09.2016 CE marking in accordance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
• 07.09.2016 HESTOCONline is now even better!
• 01.06.2016 Amendment to Regulation R58 relating to rear underrun devices
• 31.07.2015 European approval for agricultural vehicles
• 30.06.2015 CE Marking
• 25.03.2015 Change to requirements for spray suppression systems
• 20.10.2014 HESTOCON designated as Technical Service
• 03.10.2014 Fitting of ECE R117-02 approved tyres
• 11.09.2014 GSR - Entry into force and end-of-series stock
• 21.03.2014 GSR - Update approvals before 1 November 2014
• 29.11.2013 Vehicle registration cards in the Netherlands
• 02.10.2013 Incorporation of HESTOCON UK Ltd.
• 12.06.2013 HESTOCON line
• 01.11.2012 Expired national trailer type-approvals / application for "end-of-series-stock"
• 13.06.2012 New requirements rear protective devices O1 and O2 trailers
• 02.05.2012 European Directive 2007/46/EC
• 26.07.2011 New NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2008 certificate
• 08.07.2011 Update of Dutch national type approvals
• 12.04.2011 New directive on spray-suppression systems
• 12.05.2009 First European type approval for caravans
• 03.04.2009 The first European type approval has arrived!
• 26.11.2008 Ban on overrun-braked turntable trailers in the Netherlands?
• 01.10.2008 European Type Approval
• 19.09.2006 NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2000 certificate presented to HESTOCON B.V.
• 19.09.2006 RDW requires COP for national approvals
• 19.09.2006 Change in requirements rear underrun protection devices - Update
• 12.04.2006 Change in requirements concerning rear underrun protection devices
• 16.03.2006 ECE ban on inertia brake systems for full trailers

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Vehicle manufacturer, do you already meet these obligations?

Recently, a number of new requirements have become mandatory for vehicle manufacturers. Despite the fact that these have no consequences for the type approval, you must comply with the following when delivering new vehicles:

COC Layout

Regulation (EU) 2020/683 has introduced a number of new fields on the COC. Furthermore it describes new mandatory features to protect the COC against forgery. A simple logo in color is no longer sufficient, the requirements refer to at least a "real" watermark or another security printing feature.

• All these changes are also mandatory for a COC of new vehicles based on an existing (2007/46) approval!

Indicate the contact address on the vehicle

Regulation (EU) 2018/858 requires manufacturers to indicate their name, registered trade name or registered trademark and their contact address in the Union on their vehicles.

• Indicate your full address on every vehicle, even though this is not mandatory information on the vehicle type plate.
  You may, for example, also apply this information by means of a separate label.

Provide Tyre Label

From 1 May 2021, the new Tyre labeling regulations will take effect. The aim is to make the labels more visible and to inform end users better, so that they can choose Tyres that are safer, quieter and more economical.

Regulation (EU) 2020/740 requires suppliers and distributors of vehicles to inform buyers before the sale, by providing the Tyre label for the Tyres offered or fitted with the vehicle, as well as the corresponding product information sheet and the relevant technical promotional material.

• So before the sale of any new vehicle, provide the Tyre information that you have received from your supplier.

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COP and approvals need to be adjusted after name change from BVBA to BV

Is your company registered as a Belgian BVBA? You are probably aware that this form of company no longer exists since 1 May 2019 and has been replaced by a BV. You are required to amend your company registration accordingly before January 1st 2024.

Please note that as a result of this change, your COP and approvals may become invalid. Please take immediate action to have this change also adjusted in the COP and type approvals

As always, HESTOCON can help you with this.

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Consequences of the new emission requirements for multi-stage manufacturers

The past few years have seen a great deal of debate concerning vehicle emissions.
Here we highlight the consequences for manufacturers where vehicles are built in multiple stages, with regard to the next series of changes that take effect from 01/09/2019.

A multi-stage approval is when you add a superstructure to or convert a purchased base vehicle before applying for a registration number. In many cases, from September the new emission values will also have to be defined for those completed vehicles.

Roughly two sets of legislation are of interest concerning emissions (here specifically for multi-stage vehicles). In this respect, the reference mass of the vehicle (≈ 'unladen weight + 25 kg') is an evaluation criterion.

Light vehicle emissions (EC 715/2007)

WLTP is the new test procedure for CO2 and other emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles. The WLTP regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/1151) also includes requirements for defining the CO2 emissions of vehicles in case of a multi-stage approval.

The requirements are already applicable to specifically M1, M2 and light (Class I < 1,305 kg) N1 category vehicles. As of 01/09/2019, the heavier categories will be added, so that this change will have consequences for more 2nd stage manufacturers.

Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 is only applicable to vehicles with a reference mass < 2,610 kg, and under certain conditions, < 2,840 kg. Above this, the requirements of Regulation (EU) 595/2009 are determinative.

Heavy duty vehicle emissions (EC 595/2009)

Regulation (EU) 595/2009 is applicable to motor vehicles of categories M1, M2, N1 and N2 with a reference mass in excess of 2,610 kg (or 2,840 kg) and to all motor vehicles of categories M3 and N3. This does not yet include any specific requirements for defining the emissions of multi-stage vehicles.

However, this regulation does provide for the approval of (incomplete) base vehicles with a reference mass of less than 2,610 kg if the manufacturer can demonstrate that all bodywork combinations expected to be built onto the incomplete vehicle increase the reference mass of the vehicle to above 2,610 kg.
This is particularly important for multi-stage vehicles with a reference mass exceeding 2,610 kg after completion.

Depending on the final reference mass of the completed vehicle, the end product will therefore be subject to the 'heavy' or 'light' emission requirements.
For the vehicle approval, it then needs to be considered whether the completed vehicle still conforms with the emission approval of the base vehicle.

Consequences for completed vehicles

If the completed vehicle is subject to the 'heavy' emission requirements, and the approval of the base vehicle also provides for this, then the emission values of the base vehicle will be taken over for the time being.

As regards the completed WLTP vehicles ('light' emissions), the definition of the CO2 emissions primarily takes place by means of the base vehicle manufacturer's calculation tool.
This tool will therefore have to be made available, and the specifications of the completed vehicle must fall within the range of this calculation.

If the completed vehicle falls entirely outside the emission approval of the base vehicle, the 2nd stage manufacturer will himself be responsible for the emissions.

Manufacturers with multi-stage type approval are advised to contact the base vehicle manufacturer in the short-term.
When doing so, verify the latest status of the (base) vehicle approval, and which emission approvals it includes.
Also ask about the availability of the calculation tool, and any conditions concerning its use.

Of course, HESTOCON can subsequently assist you further with processing the changes that are taking effect as of 01/09/2019 in your multi-stage type approval.

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Trailer registration in UK

Not as a result of BREXIT negotiations, but (also) effective from March 28th 2019 is the new Trailer Registration Scheme.

Registration will be mandatory for all commercial use trailers travelling internationally that weigh over 750kg in gross weight. Registration is also mandatory for non-commercial use trailers that travel internationally and weigh over 3500kg in gross weight. Other trailers that weigh over 750kg in gross weight can be registered on a voluntary basis even if they are not travelling abroad. Registration will be valid for 10 years.

Apart from the registration certificate, number plates must be made up and displayed in a visible and vertical position on the trailer. This is separate to the existing number plate of the vehicle pulling the trailer. To date, DVLA states that there is no requirement to illuminate the trailer registration plate.

The trailer’s number plate must be fixed as far as reasonably possible from the towing vehicle’s registration plate. If the plate cannot be displayed at the rear of the trailer, a trailer registration plate must be fixed to both sides of the trailer so they are both clearly visible. It is recommended to display the UK’s recognised distinguishing sign – “GB”, alongside the trailer registration plate. This should be a separate sign or sticker next to the plate, not on it.

Anyone wishing to register international trailers please follow this link: www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration

Please mind that manufacturers still need to apply to DVSA to obtain consent for trailer entry into service prior to selling a trailer to a customer. The customer then needs to register the trailer with DVLA mandatory or voluntarily as stipulated above.

HESTOCON offers you various services for applying, maintaining and keeping up-to-date your type approvals. Outsourcing these specialist activities gives you the space to pay attention to your priorities.

Interested? Please contact us.

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UK Type approvals after Brexit

Introduction

Obviously, Brexit will also affect European (vehicle) type approvals.

In a no deal scenario, type approvals issued in the UK would no longer be valid for new vehicles or components. EU type-approvals issued by authorities outside of the UK, would no longer be automatically accepted on the UK market.

As the official exit date closes in, let’s focus on the likely scenario’s in case of Brexit on March 29th and in absence of other arrangements.

Approvals for vehicles or components that are brought into service in UK

In September 2018 the UK Government published a Technical Notice titled “Vehicle type approval if there’s no Brexit deal”. This describes that for existing EU type-approvals a conversion into a UK type-approval would be offered, to allow manufacturers to continue to place products on the market in the UK.

For EU type-approvals valid on March 29th an administrative conversion to provisional UK type-approvals would be completed upon receipt of a list of EU Whole Vehicle approvals that you want converted to provisional UK approvals. This provisional approval would be valid for a time-limited period of 2 years. During that period, manufacturers need to request a full conversion of EU type-approval into UK type-approval.

Provisional approval will be optional for trailers, engines for non-road mobile machinery and components and for these a manufacturer may choose to place products on the market on the basis of a valid EU approval.

Further details of the secondary legislation on the full UK approval scheme will be provided at a later date.

At exit day, the UK type-approval scheme requirements will be fully aligned with the ECWVTA requirements.

The VCA would grant an UK type-approval where a manufacturer can demonstrate it holds a valid EU type-approval, even if issued post exit. VCA however reserves the right to require additional administrative and conformity of production checks.

e11 approvals after BREXIT

In case of Brexit and in absence of another arrangement, any UK issued (e11) type-approval will no longer be valid in the EU.

Manufacturers holding an e11 EU type-approval, must obtain a new EU type-approval from an authority in one of the remaining EU Member States. A new Regulation of the European Commission, published January 2019, sets out a scheme to allow holders of UK-issued type-approvals to transfer them –including COP- to another Member State.

Representatives

Also, manufacturers based in the UK will need to appoint an EU representative to be listed in the EU type-approvals, in order to ensure these approvals can continue to be used after BREXIT.

‘manufacturer's representative’ means any natural or legal person established in the Union who is duly appointed by the manufacturer to represent the manufacturer before the approval authority or the market surveillance authority and to act on the manufacturer's behalf with regard to type approval matters.

In addition to the transfer of approvals, HESTOCON will offer services to act as your representative for type approval matters.

HESTOCON has more than 35 years of experience in type-approval applications in several European Member States. We are ISO9001 certified since 2006, and have applied for over 400 Whole Vehicle Type Approvals acc. 2007/46/EC. This not only proves both our competence and impartiality, but makes us your ideal and neutral partner to tackle these upcoming challenges.

HESTOCON is of course able to advise you on the options available and help you with your type-approval applications. Contracting out this specialist work allows you to focus on your priorities.

Interested? Please contact us.

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Fitting of R117 approved tyres

New vehicles must be fitted with tyres that have been approved for aspects such as noise emission, rolling resistance and grip. This applies to all vehicle categories covered by Framework Directive 2007/46/EC.

The Certificate of Conformity of trailers (Category O) does not have to mention the approval number or the specific codes of the tyre. For other vehicle categories only the rolling resistance class is mandatory on the COC.

However, this does not detract from the fact that the vehicle manufacturer is in all cases responsible for fitting correctly coded tyres.

Where appropriate - for example in Austria - it must be possible to prove at the time of vehicle registration that these requirements have been met. It is therefore advisable to mention the coding of the tyres fitted in the remarks section (52.) on the COC.

In 2014, we have already informed you about these requirements. As of November 2018, the next phase has entered into force. Tyres that are not approved in accordance with these requirements may no longer be fitted on new vehicles.

After 1 November 2018 only tyres with the following codes may be fitted:

• an approval number starting with a capital letter "E",
• and the code "S2",
• and the code "W" (only for C1 tyres),
• and the code "R2" for C1 and C2 tyres. For C3 tyres this will only be applicable from 1-11-2020 onwards;

Attention : For vehicle type approvals (WVTA) issued after 1 November 2017 all (C1, C2 and C3) tyres must already have the codes "S2" and "R2" and the C1 tyres also have the code "W";

Only a few tyre types are excluded from the above, including tyres with a rim diameter of 10" or less.

For the sake of completeness please find a list of the various tyre categories below:

• C1 tyres, approved according to Regulation R30;
• C2 tyres, approved according to Regulation R54, a load index of ≤ 121 and speed symbol ≥ N;
• C3 tyres, approved according to Regulation R54, with
  • either a load index of ≥ 122
  • or a load index of ≤ 121 and speed symbol ≤ M

HESTOCON offers you various services for applying, maintaining and keeping up-to-date your type approvals. Outsourcing these specialist activities gives you the space to pay attention to your priorities.

Interested? Contact us.

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National approval requirements agricultural trailers in Belgium and the Netherlands

On 1 January 2016, Regulation (EU) 167/2013 came into force. This means it is now possible to apply for European type-approval for agricultural and forestry trailers and towed machinery.

Some of the requirements are comparable with those we are already familiar with for normal road use vehicles, such as the requirements for rear underrun, installation of lighting, number plate position, spray suppression, etc. Entirely new technical requirements have been introduced in other areas.

According to this Regulation, for agricultural and forestry trailers and towed machinery the manufacturer can submit an application for European type-approval or opt to request national type-approval in the country of admission. National approval is only valid in the country of issue. On the other hand, different regulations can be applicable for national approvals.

Various countries are now also reviewing the national approval requirements on the basis of Regulation (EU) 167/2013.

Netherlands

Previously, no test requirements had been adopted in the Netherlands. Only the "Permanente Eisen" (permanent requirements) were applicable for introducing towed agricultural vehicles on to the road. However this has changed with the recent amendments to the "Regeling Voertuigen" (Vehicles Regulation).

Test requirements from 01-01-2018

New vehicles that are admitted to the road after 31 December 2017 must be inspected on the basis of the requirements set out in the "Wijze van keuren voor Land- of bosbouwvoertuig T, C, R en S" (test method agricultural vehicles). The majority of the requirements correspond with the European legislation, with a few exceptions such as the vehicle width.

Belgium

In Belgium, for agricultural and forestry trailers and towed machinery it was already possible to apply for Special Construction Vehicle (PVB) status or for an Official Statement of Approval (PVG). The coming into force of the European Regulation means that in the future a large number of vehicles will no longer be approved as PVBs because they are now covered by the (EU) 167/2013 legislation. At the same time, a number of technical requirements will also be tightened, in other words they will be aligned with the European legislation.

PVB applications are still possible until 1 January

Up to 1 January 2019 it is still possible to obtain PVB approval for Category R and S vehicles (trailers and towed machinery). For Category T and C vehicles the PVB application must be submitted before 1 January 2018. In both cases the PVB will then remain valid until 1 January 2020. In all other cases the (more stringent) requirements specified in a yet-to-be-published Decree will be applicable.

HESTOCON is of course able to advise you on the options available and help you with your type-approval applications. HESTOCON has more than 35 years of experience in type-approval applications in several European Member States. Contracting out this specialist work allows you to focus on your priorities.

Interested? Please contact us!

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CE marking in accordance with Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC

As a manufacturer you are responsible for supplying a safe product.

By applying the CE mark a manufacturer guarantees that its product complies with the applicable safety requirements. One of the European product directives within the scope of CE marking is the Machinery Directive (EU Directive 2006/42/EC).

Products must comply to this Directive if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Assembly of moving parts with a drive system other than directly applied human effort
• Lifting devices driven by human effort
• Lifting gear (i.e. chains, cables and lifting eyes)
• Interchangeable equipment (i.e. front loaders and mowers for tractors)
• Removable mechanical transmission device (i.e. power take-off shafts)

Tipper

Mobile visible message signs

You are obliged to guarantee the safety and to prevent people using your equipment from being exposed to unacceptable risks. Even if your products are imported from manufacturers based outside of the EU you are still potentially responsible for CE marking.

These safety requirements have been implemented as national legislation in each EU Member State, which means that market regulators will check the conformity of the machinery introduced into the market.

HESTOCON guides you through the process of CE Marking
We can help you with all stages of the CE Declaration of Conformity process:

• Functional analysis and function test;
• Risk analysis in accordance with EN-ISO 12100:2010 by means of three-phase risk reduction;
• Compilation of the Technical Construction Dossier, with manual, drawings, calculations and additional (test) reports;
• Draft CE Declaration of Conformity for the end product (Declaration of Incorporation for incomplete machine).

Tipper stability test for CE Marking

We have our own specialist team to help ensure that your product complies with the requirements of the Machinery Directive. In addition to trailers, we provide CE mark support for industrial products, body works and agricultural machinery.

Interested? Please contact us on +31 (0)76 5729000 / +44 (0)1433 520001 or via www.hestocon.com

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HESTOCONline is now even better!

With immediate effect all HESTOCONline users can benefit from the following changes:

• Status updates by e-mail
  • Twice a year you will receive an automatic update by e-mail;
  • Are all approvals up to date? This means that no changes requiring you to take action have been found;
  • Do one or more approvals require an update? You can login directly and see precisely due to what change an extension is needed.

• Uploading approvals yourself
  • You can now upload new approvals to the system by yourself;
  • Our engineers will receive notification of this and ensure the link to the relevant legislation.

• Multi-chapter legislation
  • Various topics are covered in multi-chapter legislation. As a result, multiple implementation dates are provided;
  • For example, this is the case for (EU) Regulation 167/2013 (agricultural and forestry vehicles) and (EU) Regulation 168/2013 (two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles);
  • A few modifications allow us to process this legislation better, which makes HESTOCONline fit for the future.

• Consultation
  • As a HESTOCONline subscriber you are entitled, for a small fee, to have an annual consultation with one of our consultants;
  • Only the travel expenses are charged.

If you don't yet use HESTOCONline we'd like to give you a brief explanation.

HESTOCONline establishes a link between your type approvals and the prevailing legislation. Are your approvals still up to date? Or is an extension required in the near future? You can check the status of your approvals at any time on your PC, tablet or Smartphone. Obviously, legislation that is important for your approvals is listed also, allowing you to view it immediately

HESTOCONline enables you to easily comply with the COP requirement of keeping abreast of legislative changes. You can of course also use HESTOCONline if your type approvals have not been undertaken by HESTOCON.

Interested? Please contact us on +31 (0)76 5729000 / +44 (0)1433 520001 or via www.hestocon.com

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Amendment to Regulation R58 relating to rear underrun devices

The amended R58.03 Regulation for rear underrun protection comes into force on 18 June 2016.

The introduction date for the new type-approval is 1 September 2019 and from 1 September 2021 vehicles can be rejected by a Member State if they fail to comply with these requirements.

We have analysed the key focus areas for you.

As previously, certain vehicle categories may comply with simplified requirements, for which no test is required for:

The following will aply if the full requirements are maintained :

An obligation has also been added for the standard position of an adjustable bumper to be shown on a label (min. 60x120).

This does not of course cover the full requirements exhaustively. Exceptions are possible, for example for vehicles with a width of less than 2m or vehicles for which the presence of a bumper is incompatible with use.

HESTOCON can assist with your application for approval of rear underrun devices according to R58.03. We offer a wide range of services relating to registrations, COP, type-approval and CE. Please contact us for further information!

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European approval for agricultural vehicles

(Towed) agricultural vehicle manufacturers have had a long wait for the possibility of supplying to all of Europe with one vehicle type approval.

On 1 January 2016 (EU) regulation 167/2013 will take effect, making it also possible to apply for European approval for agricultural and forestry trailers and mobile machinery.

For the technical requirements, (EU) regulation 167/2013 makes reference to various other EU and ECE regulations. Some of the requirements are in line with what we already know from high-speed vehicles. For example, the requirements for rear underrun devices, installation of lighting, registration plate space, spray suppression system, etc.

New requirements are being introduced in other areas:

• Adequate attention must have been paid to the vehicle's safety aspects, including protection against mechanical hazards and safety of the electrical systems:
  • Standards for CE marking (Machinery directive), which are also compulsory for these vehicles, are given due consideration too;
  • In order to prove this, the manual, possibly the content of the Technical File and a copy of the Declaration of Conformity must be presented;
  • The content of the manual must comply with ISO3600:1996;
  • Please refer to our previous newsletter for further information about CE marking.
• For machinery there are also requirements governing the following:
  • guards and protective equipment,
  • device to prevent unauthorised use and
  • the vehicle warnings and markings.

Type approval is granted only once it has been proven that all the administrative and specific vehicle requirements have been met. This approval is accepted in all European member states. Consequently, it is no longer necessary to submit an application for approval in each country individually.

The benefits are clear: your export opportunities increase even if this concerns a limited number of vehicles. Many manufacturers are wary of the paperwork involved and the time that has to be invested in order to become familiar with the new regulations.

Outsourcing this specialist work enables you to focus on your priorities. HESTOCON has over 35 years of experience in applying for approvals in several European member states. Our name is very well known and the authorities regularly refer to us.

Do not hesitate - ensure that you are ready for the future.

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CE Marking

Products brought to market within the European Community must meet the Health and Safety standards of the Community.

Although there is no direct relation with the Directive 2007/46/EC for Vehicle Type Approval, it is in fact compulsory to deliver a CE declaration of Conformity with certain trailers.

The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is the principle document to be respected. In addition to this Directive there are supplementary CE directives and EN-ISO standards that may apply to the safety aspects of your product.

These standards among others apply to trailers having movable parts that could bring people at risk. For instance tipper and tilt-bed trailers need to be examined to find whether all risk during operating is excluded or minimalized.

Conducting a risk assessment, constructing the users and maintenance manual and as a last measure placing warning and instruction labels, all with the intention to reduce any risk to a minimum, is a necessity to reach the product safety level required by the CE Directive.

HESTOCON can assist you in the process of CE marking.

To be allowed to provide your product with a CE declaration following items must be taken into account:

• Technical Construction Document consisting of:
  • Manual including exploded views, wiring diagram, spare parts list, disassembling, maintenance, user and safety instructions;
  • Calculation of the construction in use;
  • Sustainability test report;
  • Stability test report;
  • Reports, CE Declarations of Conformity or CE Declarations of Integration of individual parts used in the product/machine.

• Product examination:
  • Inspection and functionality test of the product.

• Risk Assessment:
  • The manufacturer has the obligation to minimize the risk of wrong and unsafe use of the equipment;
  • For those circumstances the manufacturer is not able to exclude the risk it needs to be clearly described according to a classification table
  • Risk assessment has to meet the EN-ISO 12100.

• European representation:
• In case the product is produced by a manufacturer located outside the European Union, an EU established company or person must be appointed as European CE representative.

HESTOCON can provide following assistance:

• Conducting the Risk Assessment;
• Reviewing the Technical Construction Document;
• Reviewing and adapting the Users Manual to CE standards;
• Product inspection and functionality test;
• Drafting the CE Declaration of Conformity (or Integration in case of a non complete product).

HESTOCON has a dedicated team to assist you in the process of getting your product CE approved.

For further information please contact HESTOCON.

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Change to requirements for spray suppression systems

An interesting change to the requirements for fitting spray suppression systems came into force on 24-02-2015. As a result of this, mud flaps no longer need to be fitted on light trailers (categories O1 and O2) and vehicles of categories N1 and N2.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/166 is a supplement to the General Safety Regulation (EU) 661/2009 and also amends the Commission Regulation that specifies the requirements for fitting spray suppression systems ((EU) 109/2011).

The requirements set for vehicles of category M1 (wheel guards (EU) No. 1009/2010) may now also be applied - at the manufacturer's discretion. This applies to the following vehicles:

• vehicles in categories N1 and N2 with a permitted maximum mass when loaded not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and
• light trailers in categories O1 and O2.

Compared to the "normal" requirements this can be seen as a relaxation of the requirements: A smaller area needs to be covered by a wheel guard and there is no requirement for mud flaps.

To be able to take advantage of this for existing type-approvals these must be amended by means of an extension.

HESTOCON can submit (type-) approval applications on your behalf, in which case these new requirements will of course be included immediately. If you have any questions about Commission Regulation (EU) 109/2011 or other matters please don't hesitate to contact us.

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HESTOCON designated as Technical Service

HESTOCON TS is designated by RDW as an officially recognized Technical Service.

This means that from now on HESTOCON TS can do the vehicle testing to obtain the european Whole Vehicle Type Approval and its system approvals.

We can also perform a company audit and make a Factory Inspection Report with which it is possible to obtain the COP approval.

Please contact us for the possibilities or to make an application.

Go to the HESTOCON Technical Service Website

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Fitting of ECE R117-02 approved tyres

As a result of general safety regulation (EU) 661/2009 tyres also have to comply with new requirements according to ECE R117-02. Tyres that are not approved in accordance with these requirements may no longer be fitted on new vehicles.

As a vehicle manufacturer you must check that the tyres fitted do have the correct codes applied.

After 1 November 2014 only tyres with the following codes may be fitted:

• an approval number starting with a capital letter "E",
• and the code "S1" (with a capital letter "S"),
• and the code "W" (only for C1 tyres),
• and the code "R1" for C1 and C2 tyres. For C3 tyres this will only be applicable from 1-11-2016 onwards;

Attention: different dates are applicable for vehicle type approvals (WVTA) that were issued after 1 November 2013. From 01-11-2013 all of the tyres for these already must have codes "S2" and "R1" and the C1 tyres also must have code "W";

Only a few tyre types are excluded from the above, including tyres with a rim diameter of 10" or less.

For the sake of completeness please find a list of the various tyre categories below:

• C1 tyres, approved according to Regulation R30;
• C2 tyres, approved according to Regulation R54, a load index of ≤ 121 and speed symbol ≥ N;
• C3 tyres, approved according to Regulation R54, with
  • either a load index of ≥ 122
  • or a load index of ≤ 121 and speed symbol ≤ M.

HESTOCON can provide you with a range of services to help you apply for, maintain and keep your type approvals up to date.

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GSR - Entry into force and end-of-series stock

You can't have failed to notice; new legislation, with direct consequences for you as an automotive manufacturer, will become compulsory on 1 November 2014.

After 31 October 2014 CoCs may no longer be issued for type approvals that are not yet compliant with Regulation 661/2009 (GSR).

If you have not yet taken any action we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible. As it is, timely handling of your approval cannot currently be guaranteed anymore.

Vehicles covered by the expired type approvals that have already been built and for which no registration number has yet been applied for or for which the registration is still undated (non-registered to name) can be included under the "end-of-series stock" scheme.

The end-of-series stock scheme is subject to terms and conditions and misuse of the scheme will result in sanctions being imposed:

• The end-of-series stock must always be allocated to the country in which the relevant vehicle will be used;
• The vehicles on the list must be compliant with the (cancelled) approval, and therefore have to be fully built;
• Depending on the country in which the vehicles are to enter:
  • The vehicle COC must have been valid for at least 3 months. This therefore means that the vehicles must have been built by no later than 1 July 2014;
  • Or, a maximum of 30% (10% for M1 vehicles) of the annual volume - subject to a minimum of 100 - are to be included on the list;
• The accuracy of your statement shall be actively checked.

HESTOCON can provide you with a range of services to help you apply for, maintain and keep your type approvals up to date. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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GSR - Update approvals before 1 November 2014

For various vehicle components (subjects), there is an applicable EC directive as well as an - often corresponding - UN ECE regulation. This makes the process of maintaining legislation unnecessarily complicated. The "General Safety Regulation" (GSR) will inevitably change this situation.

In simple terms, the EC separate directives are being repealed. With the introduction of the GSR, the ECE regulations and new EU commission regulations must be applied.

As of November 1, 2012 the legislation specified in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 661/2009 (General Safety Regulation - GSR) will become mandatory for new vehicle type approvals. For example, Directive 71/320/EEC will no longer be used for the subject of "braking", only ECE Regulation R13 will now be applied.

As of November 1, 2014, the legislation specified in the GSR will become mandatory for all new vehicles. This means that existing type approvals prior to this date will have to be aligned to the GSR, and in many cases the GSR will also have to be observed for individual approval applications.

What exactly has to be changed varies per vehicle, category and approval date:

• In some cases, only administrative changes have to be made - it is only necessary to submit a new test report in accordance with the new legislation.
• In other cases, the changes are more extensive on the technical side. For instance, Regulation R13 specifies that inertia brakes are not allowed to be used with articulated trailers (turntable), whereas this was still permitted under Directive 71/320/EEC.
• In addition, GSR states that type approvals submitted prior to November 1, 2012 will remain applicable and are allowed to be extended under certain conditions.
• This means that some existing EU approvals may continue to be used after November 1, 2014, as long as the provisions have not changed and the new EU Commission Regulation indeed specifies that old approvals continue to be valid;
• For subjects for which now the ECE regulations are applicable, separate notification is given whether the old approvals still continue to be valid. For example, the old approvals based on 76/756/EEC continue to be valid for the subject of "installation of lighting". However, braking device approvals in accordance with 71/320/EEC have to be converted into ECE R13 approvals before November 1, 2014.

It is expected that in the run-up to November 2014, the various authorities will be overwhelmed with applications, which means it will take longer than normal to process them. So don't wait too long to apply for the approval extension(s).

It should also be noted that as a (vehicle) manufacturer, having the Conformity of Production (CoP) responsibility, are required to proactively keep informed of any changes in legislation and how such changes will affect your approvals. For users of HESTOCONline this is one less thing to worry about, as the effective dates of the GSR have already been processed in HESTOCONline.

HESTOCONline users can go to the "my type approvals" page for a clear overview of which type approvals have to be revised within a year, or within 3 months.

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Vehicle registration cards in the Netherlands

As of January 1, 2014 the Netherlands will switch over to a new system of vehicle registration. The current vehicle registration certificate, a paper document in three parts, is being replaced with a vehicle registration certificate in credit-card format (called the vehicle registration card).

This news article is intended to inform you of the consequences of this new system for the vehicle registration applications handled by HESTOCON B.V.

Changes in applying for vehicle registration forms for RDW-approved companies:

The information needed for your vehicle registration application remains the same. Just as before, you send us a Certificate of Conformity (COC) document for each vehicle, the national body code, the number plate design and the address to which the number plate is to be sent.

• What does change are the documents you then receive. The desired number plate will still be sent to you, but it will also come with the registration to name code.
• A vehicle registration card is not created by RDW until the vehicle is registered to name to an owner / keeper for the first time.

Further changes if you arrange for HESTOCON B.V. to register the vehicle to name:

The familiar grey RDW authorisation form which is currently used to authorise us to register the vehicle to (company) name will no longer be valid. As of January 1, it will be replaced with a digital form which we e-mail to the future owner/keeper with the customer details already entered.

• As of January 1, 2014, you are therefore required to send the extract from the chamber of commerce and copy of the ID of the person granting authorisation directly with your vehicle registration application.
• The signed authorisation can also be returned to us by e-mail, whereupon we are required to check that the signature on the authorisation form matches the signature on the proof of ID.
• If the authorisation is given by a private individual or sole trader, the owner/keeper is required to appear in person.
• Once the vehicle is registered to name, the number plate is sent to the address specified by you, usually together with the first part of the registration to name code.
• RDW will always send the vehicle registration card to the owner/keeper. A different delivery address may only be given with lease vehicles.

Registration via lease or financing company:

• If the vehicle is sold via a lease or financing company, you are required to state this at the time of applying for registration.
• After receiving the registration application, we will send the vehicle registration number directly to the lease company.
• The lease or financing company may then draw up an "order to register to name", in which they specify - among other details - where the registration card is to be sent and where the registration to name code is to be sent.

Other:

It can take a few days before the registration card is received.

Once the vehicle is registered to name and you have received the number plate and fitted it on the vehicle, it is then allowed for the vehicle to be driven in the Netherlands before the actual registration card is received.

If the vehicle is to be driven outside the Netherlands, we would advise you to contact the local authorities to find out if this is permitted before the registration card has been received.

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We are pleased to announce the incorporation of HESTOCON UK Ltd.

As you will know, HESTOCON has a long experience in assisting and guiding vehicle manufacturers through the (European) homologation and registration schemes.

In order to serve our UK and Ireland based customers more direct, HESTOCON has decided to open an UK office.

HESTOCON UK Ltd has been registered at Companies House, Cardiff, on August 27th 2013. Companies registration number: 8665278

The main objectives of HESTOCON UK will be to improve and extend the services to UK and Irish manufacturers of vehicles in relation to the Directive 2007/46/EC.

You can contact HESTOCON UK for assistance in one of our expertise areas, such as;

• Engineering & Calculations
• Homologation (vehicle and part approvals)
• Registration of vehicles
• Conformity of Production (COP) clearance applications
• Quality Management
• HESTOCONline (online system for monitoring European legislation)

Mr. Ben Graven has been appointed as manager of HESTOCON UK Ltd.

Contact details:

HESTOCON UK Ltd
Mr. Ben Graven
6 Broadfield Court
Broadfield Way
Sheffield S8 0XF
United Kingdom

Tel: (+44) - (0)1433 520001
E-mail: ino@hestocon.com
www. hestocon.com

In order to introduce our new services and possibilities we will contact you in the near future. In the meantime please feel free to contact Ben Graven or the HESTOCON office in Breda, Holland, Tel.: (+31) 76 5729 000

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HESTOCONline

Vehicle legislation is complex. Every vehicle is subject to multiple Regulations and Commission Regulations.

If you fail to establish the consequences of changes to legislation in time this can endanger your supplies!

Even if you have type-approval, it can be that the approval has to be amended as a consequence of changes to legislation. For the Conformity Of Production (COP) you therefore have to be actively aware of these changes and their consequences for your production.

HESTOCONline is the ideal online tool for easily monitoring at any moment changes to legislation that are adopted and the consequences that they have for your (type-) approval.

HESTOCONline can be used on pc, tablet or smartphone with internet access.
Even if you don't use HESTOCON for your approval applications, HESTOCONline can of course still be available to you.

by popular demand: INTERNAL AUDITS

As an additional service, by popular demand, we can also offer you an annual internal audit of your COP quality system.

During this audit we work with you to record the changes to legislation, vehicles and the organisation and investigate the impact of the changes on the quality system.

The Internal Audits Contract includes the following standard elements:

• A subscription (1 login) to HESTOCONline
• An annual visit to your company
• A report on the changes required

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a demonstration!

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Expired national trailer type-approvals / application for "end-of-series-stock"

As mentioned in our newsfeed of 02-05-2012, as from 29-10-2012 approval according the European directive 2007/46/EC has become obligatory for all new trailers to be taken into use for the first time.
The national type-approvals have expired as from this date.
Vehicles that are marked as "special vehicle" in the national type-approval are an exception to this new rule.

Vehicles built before 29-10-2012 under the expired national type-approvals and which have not yet been registered, or registered incompletely (undated, not registered on owners' name) can be entered into a so called "end-of-series-stock"
regulation. Based on this regulation, it is then possible to fully register these vehicles for 18 more months.

In the Netherlands, the following procedure must be followed (the procedure in other member states is similar):

• A list must be drafted that specifies VINs and type-approval numbers of the vehicles concerned, as well as variant codes and current location of the vehicle;
• The request must be submitted to the RDW testing department, within two weeks from the entry-into-force date of the new requirements (in this case, submit before November 12th);
• It is judged whether (random) checks are necessary. Usually the random check consists of 3-5% of the registered end-of-series stock. There will be charges for this check;
• Vehicles registered on the validated end-of-series stock list can be registered for another period of 18 months (that is, until April 29th 2014). In this case, registration means full registration of parts IA, IB and II, including registration on the owners name (registration must have date of first use).

The regulation on end-of series stock is only available for new, completely built vehicles. Misuse of this system will lead to sanctions.

HESTOCON can take care of your (type) approval applications and new requirements will then be included immediately. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to contact us.

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New requirements for protective devices on the rear of category O1 and O2 trailers

Regulation R58 will in due course replace EC Directive 70/221 and is already applicable to categories O3 / O4.
From the end of July 2012 R58 will also apply to category O1 and O2 trailers.
To comply with the new requirements it is no longer necessary to fit extra brackets to the rear or to fit an extended lighting bar for trailers on which the wheels protrude outside of the body.

An amendment to ECE Directive R58 "Protective devices on the rear" (rear underrun) has recently been accepted. This amendment also means that it is now possible to apply this Regulation to category O1 and O2 trailers.
This Regulation adopts the existing requirements under EC Directive 70/221 for rear underrun and new rules are introduced for trailers whereby the wheels protrude beyond the body.

For category O1 and O2 trailers whereby the wheels protrude by more than 50% outside of the body, the width of the rear underrun is now calculated from the inner flank of the tyres. In that case, the rear underrun may not be narrower than 10 cm within the inner flank of the tyres on both sides. This is unlike the EC Directive whereby the calculations were undertaken from the outer flank of the tyres in all cases.

To comply with the new requirements it is therefore no longer necessary to fit extra brackets to the rear or to fit an extended lighting bar for trailers on which the wheels protrude outside of the body.

The provisional date of implementation of this amendment is 26 July 2012.

To be able to use this for existing type approvals they have to be amended by means of an extension.

HESTOCON can take care of your (type) approval applications and these new requirements will then be included immediately. If you have any further questions about Directive R58 or any other matters then please don't hesitate to contact us.

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European Directive 2007/46/EC

For many vehicle manufacturers 29 October 2012 is an important date.
From that day onwards all incomplete and complete (heavy) commercial vehicles and trailers shall have to be approved in accordance with European Directive 2007/46/EC.
All existing national approvals that are not based on this Directive shall be cancelled with effect from 29 October 2012.
It will then no longer be possible to register on the basis of these approvals.

As stated, this concerns category N2 and N3 commercial vehicles and category O1 up to and including O4 trailers / semi-trailers. There continues to be a lot of confusion about category O1 trailers with a maximum weight of 0.75 tonne.
In Belgium, Great Britain (all O categories) and the Netherlands it will not be required to register these trailers after 29 October 2012. After that date there will be a ban on selling and using these trailers if they are not approved in accordance with the European Directive.
Approval therefore also needs to be requested for category O1 trailers.

For many manufacturers an approval application will not have the priority that it deserves. Some are even of the opinion that the start date will still be postponed despite, on the other hand, the authorities work at full capacity and a timely completion may no longer be guaranteed.

Time to act!

Subcontracting this specialist work will provide you with the space to concentrate on your priorities and will also give you peace of mind that your approval applications are being dealt with as smoothly as possible.

HESTOCON has more than 30 years of experience applying for approvals in several EU member states. Our name is well known and the authorities regularly refer to us.
Don't hesitate any longer. Be prepared for the future. Contact us now or visit our website.

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New NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2008 certificate

Quality Masters presented HESTOCON B.V. with a new NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2008 certificate.

HESTOCON continues to invest in the professionalization of its organization. It is a challenge to continue to improve our quality as prescribed by ISO-9001.

See the certificat

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Update of Dutch national type approvals

If you are still using Dutch national type approvals (TKV/TRC) to register trailers in the Netherlands, we kindly request your attention to the following:

As from July 10th 2011 an amendment to the directive on installation of lighting becomes obligatory (76/756/EEC amended by 2007/35/EC). For (semi-)trailers this mainly concerns the addition of reversing lamps (2 in case total length > 6m, otherwise 1) and conspicuity markings (reflective strips, only if total mass > 3500kg.

If you do not update your type approvals, they will become invalid after this date and you will not be able to register!

Note: As from the same date, individually approved trailers must comply to the new requirements as well.

Should you have questions, please feel free to contact us for more information.

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New directive on spray-suppression systems

As of 9 April 2011, it is mandatory for new types of light vehicles to comply with the directives for spray-suppression systems (Directive 91/226 - 2010/19).

The provisions of the new directive apply exclusively to new vehicles. The directive contains new requirements concerning provisions for motor vehicles and trailers to reduce pulverized water emissions, for the categories O1 and O2 (trailers up to 3500 kg) and for the category N up to and including 7500 kg.

Upon submission of a request for a new type approval after 9 April 2011, the manufacturer must comply with the requirements set forth for the installation of mudguards and rain flaps. The installation does not need to include approved mats or brushes. The installation is dependent on the vehicle construction and can consist of one or more mudguards, vehicle components and at least one rain flap per side.

HESTOCON can handle your approval requests for you, including requests for type approvals, and these new requirements have naturally already been integrated into our process.

Should you have questions about Directive 91/226 - 2010/19, please feel free to contact us for more information.

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First European type approval for caravans

European first for Kip Nederland, HESTOCON and RDW!

Since 29 April 2009 trailer and caravan manufacturers no longer have to apply separately in each European member state for a type approval for new vehicles. This means a considerable easing of the burden for these manufacturers. After the first European type approval for trucks on 29 April the Netherlands now also has the European first for caravans. On Tuesday 12 May 2009, Jan Sybren Boersma of the RDW [National Road Traffic Service] issued the first European type approval for caravans to Louw Schots, General Manager of the Dutch caravan manufacturer, Kip Nederland, in Hoogeveen in the presence of Hennie van der Heijden, director of HESTOCON Engineering - Homologation.

Type approval

Before a caravan manufacturer can register vehicles of a particular type in the countries of the European Union he must obtain an official type approval for them. In the process, a representative vehicle is extensively tested and checked in several areas (including brakes, lights, couplings) to assess whether the many legal requirements have been met. Manufacturers previously had to apply for a separate national type approval for each member state of the European Union. Since 29 April 2009 a type approval granted in one of these countries is valid throughout the European Union.

First European type approval

The RDW already offered the possibility at an early stage of providing the national type approval in accordance with the new European directive. At that stage Kip was the first caravan manufacturer to submit applications for type approvals in accordance with the new European directive. As a result, the Dutch inspection body, in close collaboration with Kip Nederland and HESTOCON Engineering - Homologation, was the first to issue a European type approval for caravans. This was awarded to Kip Nederland for the Chateau brand, Calista type, caravan. The other ranges of this manufacturer are expected to follow shortly.

Greater efficiency

The fact that European type approvals are now also possible for caravans means in the first place greater efficiency and lower costs for manufacturers. Moreover, the admission requirements are now the same in principle for all the countries within the European Union and the national requirements will lapse.

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The first European type approval has arrived!

What benefits European type approval can offer needs no longer be stressed:

• enhancing export opportunities
• simplifying registration, and
• cost-saving on maintaining type approvals.

Many manufacturers regard these benefits as overshadowed by the administrative requirements; Completely new guidelines to become familiar with, and sharp changes in approval procedures and registration processes. But HESTOCON has specialised in precisely these processes for the past 28 years!

You do what you are good at; otherwise you go to the real experts.

Many manufacturers have already done this before you. Thanks to the over 300 manufacturers established worldwide who make regular use of our services, we can now already rely on years of experience in providing approvals in accordance with European guidelines and regulations. After all, various European Member States have already required certain EC approvals for quite some time.

One result of this experience is that the first European type approval number released by the Netherlands was assigned to an application looked after by HESTOCON. This approval will be finally issued on 30 April and we can justifiably say:

"Our first European type approval has arrived".

HESTOCON has been looking after type approval and other approval applications in a number of European Member States since 1981.

In doing so, we cannot be said to be serving a limited market. Our regular customers are the source of a wide variety of niche products from the large-scale and series-produced to the manually crafted, all in weight categories of several hundred kilograms to over 100 tons.

Amongst various government bodies, the HESTOCON name is a byword for knowledge, accuracy and professionality.

Ban on overrun-braked turntable trailers in the Netherlands?

It has recently become apparent that the situation in the Netherlands regarding approval of turntable trailers fitted with an overrun braking system is not clear.

This discussion has been ongoing internationally for some years now and concentrates in particular on the braking behaviour in bends. We therefore regularly see the rumour surface that a ban on the use of an overrun braking system on a turntable trailer will soon come into force. This is due in some measure to the fact that this exclusion is already in place in the ECE regulation R13; the use of an overrun braking system is permitted there only on light centre-axle trailers.

However, when applying for approval of your vehicles legislation in the European member states very often refer to the EC directives. There is as yet no ban included in the relevant EC directive concerning braking systems.

Although the EC directives do usually follow the ECE regulations the directive is at present running behind regulation R13. It is expected that the exclusion from the ECE regulation will eventually be included in the EC directive and the approval requirements of the European member states, but at the present time no proposals for this have been publicised. If the ban is eventually adopted then there will always be a transition period.

This means, therefore, that overrun braking systems on turntable trailers remain permitted as far as the EC directives are concerned. Please see our news bulletin dated 16.03.2006 for further information.

We hope that this note will have clarified any doubts that you may have had.

European Type Approval

Vehicle manufacturers have had a long wait for the possibility of supplying their vehicles to all of Europe with one vehicle type approval. With the acceptance of the new framework directive 2007/46/EC, this moment seems to have come.

As from 29 April 2009, a European type approval can be requested and used in all member states. This is followed phased up to 2014 by an obligation to work with an approval in accordance with this framework directive. This means, therefore, that depending on the category your present national approvals may already no longer be valid after 2010.

Stated very simply, the procedure for type approvals is as follows:

• The manufacturer must obtain a Conformitity of Production (COP) approval certificate. The issue of a COP approval requires an operational quality system.
• An application is then made for a type approval in accordance with Directive 2007/46/EC, whereupon compliance with all associated sub-directives must be demonstrated. The latter can be done by submitting EC certificates or by including the subject in the vehicle approval.
• Approval is granted when all technical and other requirements are complied with.
• The manufacturer will deliver every completed vehicle with a Certificat of Conformity (COC). The vehicle can be registered in every member state of the EU with this document.

The advantages are obvious: Your export opportunities will increase even if only a small number of vehicles are concerned.

A worthwhile option is the opportunity offered by the directive to apply for more than one category in a multi-phase approval. The manufacturer of the basic vehicle supplies an incomplete vehicle which is then finished by one or more subsequent parties. Each party can now request European type or other approval for the part that they supply.

The above need not necessarily mean that all national requirements will be at an end. Which national and additional national requirements member states may make is at present still being discussed in Brussels.

The new framework directive also lays down rules for small series and individual approvals. The precise content of the procedures is left to national authorities. These approvals will also be transferrable between member states under certain conditions. The procedures will generally be taken from the framework directive, with a number of exemptions. If you have an EC certificate for a particular item, this must of course be accepted.

The framework directive will now, therefore, become the guideline for all future approvals. In addition, in several countries the requirements will be considerably tighter than under present law. All the more reason for starting with preparations now.

Please let us know whether you want HESTOCON to take this work off your hands.

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NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2000 certificate presented to HESTOCON B.V.

Quality Masters presented HESTOCON B.V., Breda with the NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2000 certificate on 15 August, 2006.

During the last year HESTOCON has invested strongly in the professionalization of the organization. A logical consequence to this was gaining the NEN-EN-ISO 9001:2000 certificate. Only a minimum number of changes in the organisation were necessary for the certificate to be awarded, which can be regarded as confirmation of the quality that was already in existence. One of the positive consequences of the certification is that particularly the larger foreign customers recognise this as a sign of quality.

HESTOCON is pleased to accept the challenge of striving continually for improvement in quality as prescribed by ISO-9001.

See the photo - See the certificat

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RDW requires COP for national approvals

From 1 January 2007 the RDW is to also check the holders of a number of national approvals for "Conformity of Production". This extension applies at the present time only to manufacturers who have requested a Dutch national approval for braking systems, steering systems and / or rear underrun protection.

The "Conformity of Production" (COP) is described in Directive 70/156/EEC and must guarantee that the approved products continue to be manufactured and installed in accordance with the specifications stated in the approval. In general, a quality control system is required for this, together with a quality manual and the associated procedures and checklists.

Only if you have a national Dutch approval for the above components that has been granted in your own name - thus not if you only use certificates that have been awarded to suppliers - do you have to send the RDW additional documentation. What exactly is required - application, procedures, quality manual - depends on the other company approvals that you may already have.

Naturally, HESTOCON can take care of the entire COP application for you.

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Change in requirements concerning rear underrun protection devices - update

We have already informed you on 12 April 2006 about the changes that have been made to the directive 70/221/EEC concerning rear underrun protection. One of the considerations lying behind this modification to the directive is to increase safety. The forces applied during a test have been increased for this purpose.

As well as the above measure, requirements have now been specified in the case of tailboard mounting, which include the following:
- the maximum lateral play between parts of the underrun protection system and parts of the taillift is 2.5 cm;
- the collective parts of the underrun protection system must have a minimum of 350 cm2 effective surface area.

Where the protection is fitted to the tailboard the actual rear protection system can be formed from more than one part.
The dutch RDW (Centre for Vehicle Technology and Information) has now informed us that they will apply the requirement for the effective surface area to each separate part.

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Change in requirements concerning rear underrun protection devices as of 11 September 2007

With the acceptance of the directive 2006/20/EC on 17 February 2006, as an adaptation of the directive 70/221/EEC, it has been decided to change the requirements for rear underrun protection devices, or «bumpers».

One of the considerations for this change to the directive is to increase safety. This is to be achieved by doubling two of the three loads to be applied for the test or calculation. The forces P1 and P3, on the outside and in the centre of the bumper, respectively, increase from 12.5% to 25% of the technically permissible maximum mass.

In addition to the above measure, requirements are now also specified in the case of tail-lift mounting. The most striking here are:
- The maximum lateral play between parts of the underrun protection device and parts of tail-lift is 2.5 cm;
- The collective parts of the underrun protection device must have a minimum of 350 cm² effective surface area.

The 2006/20/EC directive will become effective as of 11 September 2007 for new type approvals of vehicles or underrun protection devices as a technical unit. As of 11 March 2010 the regulations will apply to all new vehicles or parts.

HESTOCON is immediately able to calculate bumpers according to the altered requirements.

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ECE ban on inertia brake systems for full trailers

On the 7th of December 2005 a supplement to the ECE regulation R13 regarding brake systems was published. Following this supplement, that became effective 9 November 2005, the use of overrun - or inertia - brakes on full trailers, thus not transmitting significant static load to the drawing vehicle, is prohibited. This means that, using this ECE regulation, overrun brakes are only permitted for central axle trailers.

Please mind that this only concerns a change in the ECE regulations. Although it is expected that this alteration will at some point be inserted into the EC directive 71/320*2002/78/EC, it still remains unchanged. Therefore the use of overrun brake systems on full trailers with a maximum permissible mass of 3500 kg will continue to be permitted for the time being, as long as the EC directive is observed.

Overrun brake systems for which an EC certificate has been issued, must be admitted in all EU countries. Also in Denmark, for example, where the use of overrun brakes on full trailers has already been forbidden by national legislation for some time now.

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