Getting started and COP

Before you can produce vehicles or vehicle components for the European market and obtain a European type approval, you must first be officially designated as a manufacturer by an EU type approval authority. This designation provides you with a valid Compliance Statement (CS), which is required before applying for type approval. Once you have your Conformity of Production (COP) clearance, you can move forward with the type approval process, ensuring your products meet the applicable standards for the European Market.

The infographic informs you about EU Type approval and describes the type approval process in 8 steps.

Type approval is a process in the European Union that assesses vehicles, systems, and components to ensure they meet legal and technical standards. This process ensures that the type approval is acknowledged across all member states, facilitating the free movement of goods within the EU.

The process in 8 steps:

Initial assessment: Once the Manufacturer has successfully completed the initial assessment procedure, he prepares the vehicle or component for type approval.
Selection of Technical Service: The Manufacturer selects a designated Technical Service to conduct the necessary tests and inspections.
Test and inspection: The Technical Service performs various tests and inspections to verify compliance with EU standards.
Test report: The Technical Service compiles a detailed report on the test results and submits it to RDW.
Assessment by RDW: RDW reviews the report and assesses whether the vehicle or component meets all regulatory requirements.
Granting of type approval: If all requirements are met, RDW grants the type approval and issues the necessary certification.
The granting type approval authority: This approval enables Manufacturers to market their vehicles, systems, or components in Europe. The Approval Authority, monitors Manufacturers to ensure compliance with regulations, ensuring their products meet and continue to conform to these requirements.
Conformity of Production (COP): After production has started, production plants and vehicles in use will be audited for type approval conformity.

Type approval at RDW

To register and sell vehicles or vehicle components in the Netherlands or other European countries, you must first obtain a type approval. This approval ensures that your production process and product comply with legal safety requirements and environmental standards. It includes all the necessary technical information about a specific type of vehicle. Depending on your needs, you can apply for either a national or European type approval.

Application process:

Before applying for type approval in the Netherlands , your company must be officially reviewed by a type approval authority, like RDW. This company review, known as Conformity of Production (COP), confirms that you consistently produce products that meet all specifications, performance criteria, and marking requirements as outlined in the type approval documentation. In order to obtain this COP, you are required to demonstrate that you are able to meet these criteria.

Conformity of production

To obtain a Conformity of Production (COP), follow these steps:

Initial contact
Send your contact details and product group to [email protected]. You will receive a confirmation of receipt within 2 weeks.
Initial Assesment (IA)
Apply for an Initial Assessment (IA). One of our inspectors will review the IA within 12 weeks. In case of a positive review, you will receive a ‘Communication Initial Assessment', meaning your designation has been approved. If the IA is not approved, you can take actions on the received non-conformity and submit the updates documents where applicable.

Important

If you do not apply for type approval or begin production within 2 years after company approval, your ‘Communication Initial Assessment’ will expire.

Within 12 months of passing the IA, an on-site audit will be conducted. We will contact you to arrange this audit. If Conformity of Production (COP) is confirmed during the audit, you will receive a ‘Compliance Statement’. This will replace the ‘Communication initial assessment’. If you are not ready to start production within 12 months, you can postpone this audit. (Only one postponement is allowed.)

More information

Contact us for more information about our type approval process, how to obtain Conformity of Production (COP), and the steps and requirements involved.

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Getting started and COP

Written text of the above infographic

Type approval at RDW

Application process:

Eligibility for type approval

Testing and homologation

Type approval certification

Product registration and sales

Conformity of production

Important

On-site audit

Maintaining compliance

More information