Global Regulations and International Standards
Global Regulations & International Standards Guide for Automotive
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers must comply with a growing set of global regulations and international standards before vehicles, systems and components can be sold. This guide summarises EU regulatory acts, UN Regulations (UNECE), and related directives, and shows which ones apply to spare parts. ATS IPL supports type approval, homologation (WVTA, IWVTA), GSR compliance, testing, and certification for OEMs and component suppliers.
| Item | Subject | Regulatory Act | Applicability to spare parts | Visual | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed | Framework regulation on vehicles, systems and components type approval | Regulation (EU) 2018/858 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Regulation amending annexes II and VII to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1445 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Rules on the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards to functional requi- rements for market surveillance of vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/163 | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Amendment to Annexes I, II, IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 as regards the technical requirements for vehicles pro- duced in unlimited series, vehicles produced in small series, fully automated vehicles produced in small series and special purpose vehicles, and as regards software update | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2236 | No |  | |
| Safety | Type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles | Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 (till 06.07.2022) | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles | Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 (General Safety Regulation) (from 07.07.2022) | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 regarding uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of vehicles, of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, their general construction and safety characteristics - Annex II, statutory plate and the vehicle identification number - Annex III, space for mounting and fixing of front and rear registration plates - Annex IV, windscreen wiper and washer systems - Annex V, wheel guards - Annex VI, windscreen defrosting and demisting systems - Annex VII, towing devices - Annex VIII, spray suppression systems - Annex IX, gear shift indicators (gsi) - Annex X, vehicle access - Annex XI, reversing motion - Annex XII, frontal protection systems for M1 and N1 vehicles - Annex XIII, masses and dimensions - Annex XIV, hydrogen system material compatibility and fuelling receptacle | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Basic format, structure and the means of exchange of the data on the certificate of conformity in electronic format | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/133 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, compo- nents and separate technical units intended for such vehicles | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Amending and correcting Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683 as regards to the information document, the vehicle approval certificates, the test result sheet and the certi- ficates of conformity in paper format | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/195 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Online data exchange and the notification of EU type-approvals under Regulation (EU) 2018/858 | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1812 | No |  | |
| Safety | Prevention of fire risks (liquid fuel tanks) (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R34 | No |  | |
| Safety | Rear Underrun Protective Devices (RUPD) and their installation; Rear Underrun Protection (RUP) (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R58 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Steering equipment (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R79 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Vehicle access and manoeuvrability (steps, running boards and handholds) (M1, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 Commission Regulation (EU) No 130 / 2012 | No |  | |
| Safety | Door latches and door retention components (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R11 | No |  | |
| Safety | Audible warning devices and signals (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R28 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Devices for indirect vision and their installation (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R46 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Braking of vehicles and trailers (M2, M3, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R13 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Braking of passenger cars (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R13-H | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Interior fittings (M1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R21 | No |  | |
| Technical | Protection of motor vehicles against unauthorised use (M2, M3, N2, M3, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R18 | No |  | |
| Safety | Protection of the driver against the steering mechanism in the event of impact (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R12 | No |  | |
| Safety | Seats, their anchorages and any head restraints (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R17 | No |  | |
| Safety | External projections (M1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R26 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Safety belt anchorages, ISOFIX anchorage systems and ISOFIX top tether anchorages (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R14 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices on vehicles (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R48 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Retro-reflecting devices for power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R3 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Front and rear position lamps, stop lamps and end-outline marker lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R7 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Daytime running lamps for power-driven vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R87 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Side-marker lamps for motor vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R91 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Direction indicators for power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R6 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Illumination of rear registration plates of power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R4 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Power-driven vehicle sealed-beam headlamps (SB) emitting a European asymmetrical passing beam or a driving beam or both (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R31 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Filament lamps for use in approved lamp units of power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R37 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Motor vehicle headlamps equipped with gas-discharge light sources (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R98 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Gas-discharge light sources for use in approved gas-discharge lamp units of power-driven vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R99 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Motor vehicle headlamps emitting an asymmetrical passing beam or a driving beam or both, and equipped with filament lamps and / or LED modules (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R112 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Adaptive front-lighting systems (AFS) for motor vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R123 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Power-driven vehicle front fog lamps (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R19 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Rear fog lamps for power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R38 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Reversing lights for power-driven vehicles and their trailers (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R23 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Parking lamps for power-driven vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R77 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Safety belts, restraint systems, child restraint systems and ISOFIX child restraint systems (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R16 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Forward field of vision (M1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R125 | No |  | |
| Safety | Location and identification of hand controls, tell-tales and indicators (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R121 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Windscreen defrosting and demisting systems (M1 category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 672 / 2010 |  | ||
| Safety | Windscreen wiper and washer systems (M1 category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 1008 / 2010 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Wheel guards (M1 category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 1009 / 2010 | No |  | |
| Safety | Head restraints (headrests), whether or not incorporated in vehicle seats (M1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R25 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Lateral protection of goods vehicles (N2, N3, O3, O4 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R73 | No |  | |
| Safety | Safety glazing materials and their installation on vehicles (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R43 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Speed limitation of vehicles (M2, M3, N2, N3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R89 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Protection of occupants in the event of a lateral collision (M1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R94 | No |  | |
| Safety | Protection of occupants in the event of a lateral collision (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R95 | No |  | |
| Safety | Pole side impact (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R135 | No |  | |
| Safety | Vehicles for the carriage of dangerous goods (N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R105 | No |  | |
| Safety | Front Underrun Protective Devices (FUPD) and their installation; Front Underrun Protection (FUP) (N2, N3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R93 | No |  | |
| Safety | Pedestrian protection (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R127 | No |  | |
| Safety | Hydrogen system (M, N, O4 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R134 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) (M2, M3, N2, N3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R131 | No |  | |
| Safety | Lane Departure Warning System (M2, M3, N2, N3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R130 | No |  | |
| Safety | Specific components for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and their installation on motor vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R67 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Electric safety (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R100 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Specific components for compressed natural gas (CNG) and their installation on motor vehicles (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R110 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | eCall system (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EU) 2015 / 758 of the European Parliament and of the Council UN R144 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Space for mounting and fixing rear registration plates (M, N, O category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 1003 / 2010 | No |  | |
| Technical | Protection of motor vehicles against unauthorised use (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R116 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Seats of large passenger vehicles (M2, M3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R80 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Vehicle access and manoeuvrability (reverse gear) (M, N category) | Regulation (EU) No 130 / 2012 | No |  | |
| Technical | Speedometer equipment including its installation (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R39 | No |  | |
| Technical | Manufacturer's statutory plate and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EU) No 19 / 2011 | No |  | |
| Technical | Towing device (M, N category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 1005 / 2010 | No |  | |
| Technical | Heating systems (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R122 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Spray suppression systems (N, O category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 109 / 2011 | No |  | |
| Technical | Masses and dimensions | Regulation (EU) No 1230 / 2012 | No |  | |
| Technical | Installation of tyres (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R142 | No | | |
| Technical | Pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers (Class C1) (M1, N1, O1, O2 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R30 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Pneumatic tyres for commercial vehicles and their trailers (Classes C2 and C3) (M2, M3, N1, N2, N3, O3, O4 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R54 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Temporary-use spare unit, run-flat tyres / system and tyre pressure monitoring system (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R64 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Commercial vehicles with regard to their external projections forward of the cab rear panel (N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R61 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Mechanical coupling components of combinations of vehicles (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R55 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Close-coupling device (CCD); fitting of an approved type of CCD (N2, N3, O3, O4) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R102 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles (M3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R118 | No |  | |
| Technical | M2 and M3 vehicles (M2, M3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R107 | No |  | |
| Safety | Strength of the superstructure of large passenger vehicles (M2, M3 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R66 | No |  | |
| Technical | Vehicle Alarm Systems (VAS) (M1, N1 category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R97 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Cab strength (N category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R29 | No |  | |
| Environment | Sound level (M, N category) | Regulation (EU) No 540 / 2014 UN R51 | No |  | |
| Environment | Emissions (Euro 5 and Euro 6) light-duty vehicles / access to information (M1, M2, N1, N2 category) | Regulation (EC) No 715 / 2007 | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Electromagnetic compatibility (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R10 | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Emissions (Euro VI) heavy-duty vehicles / access to information (M, N category) | Regulation (EC) No 595 / 2009 | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Tyre rolling sound emissions, adhesion on wet surfaces and rolling resistance (Classes C1, C2 and C3) (M, N, O category) | Regulation (EC) No 2019 / 2144 UN R117 | No |  | |
| Environment | Recyclability (M1, N1 category) | Directive 2005 / 64 / EC | No |  | |
| Environment | Air-conditioning systems (M1, N1 category) | Directive 2006 / 40 / EC | No |  | |
| Environment | Gear shift indicators (M1 category) | Commission Regulation (EU) No 65 / 2012 |  | ||
| Safety | General product safety * | Directive 2001 / 95 / EC | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment * | Directive 2011 / 65 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Waste electrical and electronic equipment * | Directive 2012 / 19 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Batteries and waste batteries * | Directive 2006 / 66 / EC | Yes |  | |
| Environment | Labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters * | Regulation (EU) 2020 / 740 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Ecodesign requirements for energy-related products * | Directive 2009 / 125 / EC | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Simple pressure vessels * | Directive 2014 / 29 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits * | Directive 2014 / 35 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Machinery * | Directive 2006 / 42 / EC | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Electromagnetic compatibility * | Directive 2014 / 30 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Radio | Radio equipment * | Directive 2014 / 53 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Pressure equipment * | Directive 2014 / 68 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Transportable pressure equipment * | Directive 2010 / 35 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Pyrotechniques * | Directive 2013 / 29 / EU | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Interoperability of Electronic Road Toll System * | Decision 2009 / 750 / EC Implementing Directive 2004 / 52 / EC | No |  | |
| Technical | Tachographs in road transport * | Regulation (EU) No 165 / 2014 EU COMM implementing regulation (EU) 2019 /1213 dt: 12.07.2019 regarding implementation of interoperability and compatibility of on-board weighing equipment pursuant to Council Directive 96 / 53 / EC | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Smart Tachographs Version 2* | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1228 | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers & technical information necessary for roadworthiness testing of the items to be tested, on the use of the recommended test methods, and establishing detailed rules concerning the data format and the procedures for accessing the relevant technical information * | Directive 2014/45/EU Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/621 Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1717 | No |  | |
| Technical | On-board weighing system (M2, M3, N2, N3 category) * | Regulation (EU) 2019 / 1213 Directive (EU) 2015 / 719 | Yes |  | |
| Aftersales | Replacement silencing systems | UN R59 | Yes |  | |
| Aftersales | Replacement brake lining assemblies and drum brake linings | UN R90 | Yes |  | |
| Aftersales | Replacement catalytic converters | UN R103 | Yes |  | |
| Aftersales | Replacement airbags | UN R114 | Yes |  | |
| Aftersales | Replacement wheels for passenger vehicles | UN R124 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Standardised access to vehicle on-board diagnostics information and repair and maintenance information | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1244 | Yes |  | |
| Safety | Driver drowsiness and attention warning systems | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1341 |  | ||
| Safety | Alcohol interlock installation facilitation in motor vehicles | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1243 |  | ||
| Safety | Emergency Lane-Keeping Systems (ELKS) | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/646 | No |  | |
| Safety | Intelligent speed assistance systems | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1958 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals | Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation) | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) | Directive 2010/40/EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 886/2013 Planned Revision of the ITS Directive | No |  | |
| Mixed | Alternative Fuel Infrastructure | Proposal for a Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, and repealing Directive 2014/94/EU 2021/0223 (COD) | No |  | |
| Mixed | Limits for persistent organic pollutants in waste | Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants, COM/2021/656 | Yes |  | |
| Technical | Updates list of the UN regulations that apply on mandatory basis for the purpose of EU type approval | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1398 | Yes |  | |
| Environment | CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, energy consumption and zero emission | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1362 | No |  | |
| Environment | Determination of the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of medium and heavy lorries | Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1379 | No |  | |
| Safety | Uniform procedures and technical specifications for the type-approval of the automated driving system (ADS) of fully automated vehicles | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1426 | No |  | |
| Safety | Event data recorder | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/545 |  | ||
| Environment | Emission type approval procedures for light passenger and commercial vehicles | Draft Commission Regulation amending Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 | No |  | |
| Environment | Emissions type approval of heavy duty vehicles using pure biodiesel | Draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Procedure for the imposition of administrative fines and the methods for their calculation and collection | Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1209 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Functional requirements for market surveillance of vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/163 | Yes |  | |
| Mixed | Templates for the information document and certificate of conformity in paper format | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1177 | No |  | |
| Mixed | Exemptions for the use of lead in aluminium alloys for machining purposes, in copper alloys and in certain batteries | Commission Delegated Directive amending Directive 2000/53/EC | Yes |  |
Compliance FAQs
Global Regulations and International Standards FAQs
What are global automotive regulations?
Global automotive regulations are legal and technical requirements that define how vehicles, systems, components, and spare parts must be tested, approved, documented, and monitored before sale or use in target markets.
What international standards apply to vehicle type approval?
Vehicle type approval may involve EU regulatory acts, UN Regulations (UNECE), WVTA, IWVTA, General Safety Regulation (GSR), emissions requirements, safety rules, environmental standards, and market surveillance requirements.
What is the difference between UN regulations and EU regulations?
UN regulations create internationally harmonised technical requirements, while EU regulations define legal approval and compliance obligations for the European market. Many EU approvals reference UN Regulations for technical testing.
Do EU type approval rules apply to spare parts?
Some EU regulatory acts and UN Regulations apply to spare parts, systems, and components, while others apply only to complete vehicles or specific categories. The applicability column in this guide helps identify where spare parts are covered.
How does ATS IPL support homologation and compliance?
ATS IPL supports OEMs and component suppliers with testing, inspection, certification coordination, documentation, WVTA/IWVTA homologation, GSR compliance, and technical guidance for global regulations and international standards.