KEY NEWS 1/4 — EU
Applus+ IDIADA takes part in the new draft on European guidelines for CAV testing on public roads
Applus+ IDIADA has played a key role in defining the framework guidelines that will regulate the testing of autonomous driving prototypes on public roads across Europe. These guidelines, developed by a working group of the European Commission (EC), aim to harmonize testing criteria among Member States with safety as the top priority.
The draft document, already supported by Member States and manufacturers, was recently endorsed by the EC’s Autonomous Vehicle Sub-Working Group. However, it still requires political backing to be formalized as a reference document.
"Being part of this working group, which lays the foundations for the future of mobility in Europe, is a recognition of Applus+ IDIADA’s prestige and expertise in the field of connected and automated transport," said Carlos Luján. "These guidelines will ensure consistent safety standards, representing a step forward toward a more connected and safer Europe."
Next Steps: Cross-Border Testing and Regular Traffic Integration
The working group plans to extend the guidelines to enable cross-border testing, allowing manufacturers to conduct trials in multiple countries without needing separate permits for each. In the next phase, requirements will be established for these vehicles, once approved, to operate regularly on public roads as part of everyday traffic.
This regulatory framework is a significant milestone toward creating a safe and consistent testing environment, positioning Europe as a leader in connected and automated mobility.
KEY NEWS 2/4 — EU
Draft plan for transposition of Euro 7 into UN Regulation
The European Union (EU) has published a report detailing the progress in transposing Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, known as Euro 7, into a United Nations (UN) regulation. This joint effort between the EU and the UN aims to apply stricter and harmonized emission standards internationally for both Light Duty Vehicles (LDV) and Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV).
Timeline for Light Duty Vehicles (LDV)
The EU Regulation will enter into force on May 28, 2024. The key application dates are:
- November 29, 2026: Application for new LDV types.
- November 29, 2027: Application for new registrations.
Meanwhile, the UN transposition process will follow these milestones:
- October 2024: Presentation of Euro 7 transposition during the 91st GRPE (Working Party on Pollution and Energy) session.
- March 2025: Submission of an informal document during the 92nd GRPE session.
- July 2025: Submission of working documents ahead of the 93rd GRPE session.
- October 2025: Endorsement of the proposal during the 93rd GRPE session.
- March 2026: Vote at the WP.29 session (World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations).
- November 2026: UN regulation enters into force six months after its adoption.
Timeline for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDV)
The EU Regulation will also enter into force on May 28, 2024, with the following application dates:
- May 29, 2028: Application for new HDV types.
- May 29, 2029: Application for new registrations.
The UN transposition process will include the following steps:
- October 2025: Presentation of Euro 7 transposition during the 93rd GRPE session.
- March 2026: Submission of an informal document during the 94th GRPE session (potentially delayed to the 95th session).
- December 2026: Submission of working documents ahead of the 96th GRPE session.
- March 2027: Endorsement of the proposal during the 96th GRPE session.
- November 2027: Vote at the WP.29 session.
- May 2028: UN regulation enters into force six months after its adoption.
This process reflects the commitment of the EU and the UN to establish global standards that promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility.
KEY NEWS 3/4 — UK
Consultation open to incorporate international standards into UK type approval
The UK government has launched a public consultation aimed at updating its automotive regulations, in an effort to adapt the country's rules to the new circumstances following Brexit. The initiative seeks to align the UK's standards with global market needs and adopt international regulations where possible, while maintaining flexibility to incorporate other national standards.
The consultation, which began on November 4, 2024, and concluded on December 2 of the same year, is divided into two sets of proposals: the priority ones, to be implemented in the short term, and the non-priority ones, to be developed in the long term.
Among the priority proposals, to be adopted in the near future, are:
- Update of the eCall system: Adapting this automatic emergency call system to 4G/5G networks, in line with European regulations.
- Improvement of windshield cleaning and defogging systems: Aligning test procedures with updated European standards.
- CO2 emissions calculation for heavy-duty vehicles: Extending indefinitely the use of the EU's VECTO (Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool).
- Incorporation of UNECE/UN regulations: Adopting new international standards, including those related to ISOFIX systems and Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS).
As for the non-priority proposals, they include areas such as vehicle lighting, vehicle safety, technical documentation, vehicle conversions, electrical safety requirements, battery weight in light commercial electric vehicles, maximum towing weights, and regulations for helmets and eye protection for motorcyclists.
This regulatory review is part of the broader effort by the UK to develop a system that meets the needs of both UK manufacturers and consumers in the post-Brexit landscape. In this context, the GB homologation scheme, which replaced the provisional post-Brexit scheme, came into force in January 2023 and will apply to new models from February 2024. The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) will be the sole authority responsible for issuing the new GB homologations, in accordance with the modified provisions.
The UK government has invited individuals and organizations to participate in this consultation, providing their feedback through an online form available on the official government website. This initiative reflects the UK’s commitment to maintaining high safety and environmental standards, while also facilitating trade and fostering innovation in the automotive industry in the post-Brexit era.
KEY NEWS 4/4 — KOR
Draft on Battery Number Registration System
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of South Korea is developing a draft to implement a new battery number registration system. This approach is similar to the one adopted by China, which also introduced a system for registering battery numbers.
The goal of this new standard is to improve battery tracking and ensure that all information about their maintenance history is recorded. Additionally, the system aims to facilitate battery recycling by providing detailed and accessible data.
Each battery will have an identification number (ID) that complies with ISO standards. This number must appear on:
- The vehicle registration certificate.
- The KC labels for self-certification parts.
The identification number will include, among other essential data, the production date.
This system represents an important step toward more efficient and sustainable battery management in South Korea's automotive sector.
You can get more information related to these highlights in our Regulatory Monitoring Reports Service.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at iris@idiada.com.