Issues commercial vehicle roadworthy warning

Type-approval is the automotive EU directive that governs this compliance across the continent and partially, the UK.

Klarius say type-approval is especially important for emissions components that are installed on a vehicle, guaranteeing product quality, performance and compliant levels of emissions.

However, Klarius warns that the introduction of on-the-spot checks for vehicle compliance in Europe over the next few years “highlights a deficiency in UK type-approval legislation, which presents a risk to businesses whose vehicles are not fully type-approved”.

Type-approval in the UK extends to govern the compliance of catalytic converters (CATs) and for diesel vehicles, diesel particulate filters (DPFs).

However it is not currently mandatory in the UK to install a type-approved exhaust on a vehicle, in conflict with EU legislation.

On-the-spot checks

The EU has confirmed that unannounced roadside inspections of commercial vehicles will be carried out, whether the vehicle is registered in the EU or not.

The checks will focus on the overall condition of the vehicle, but UK drivers whose vehicles include a non-type-approved exhaust may fail the emissions part of the inspection, potentially leading to the vehicle in question being removed immediately from the road.

Failed vehicles will require their exhausts to be replaced with a type-approved system before release back onto the highway.

The EU aims to have these inspections passed into the national laws of member states by the 20th May, 2017.

Some aftermarket manufacturers, such as Klarius Products Ltd, supply exclusively type-approved CATs, DPFs and exhausts which are wholly compliant.

However, due to loop-holes in the UK’s type-approval laws, there are some cheap inferior exhausts in circulation which if installed on a commercial vehicle, could cause a great headache for businesses if their fleet operates regularly on the continent.

Paul Hannah, business development director at Klarius Products Ltd said: “Many operators of UK registered commercial vehicles on the continent may be under the impression that their vehicles are wholly complaint. However, this EU announcement has brought the deficiencies in the UK’s type-approval laws into sharp focus, as business could be penalised for a component that would be assumed was to standard. We strongly recommend that owners of commercial vehicles who require an aftermarket emissions replacement choose a certified type-approved part to avoid any risk or inconvenience.”

Garage Wire 24.1.17