Vehicle homologation.
From vehicle definition through to series production.
Approval work begins well before a vehicle is presented for testing. Its category, target markets, variants and industrial schedule determine the requirements to address, the evidence to prepare and the decisions that need to be made.
SYNERIYA supports manufacturers, bodybuilders and suppliers throughout this work. Together with their teams, we develop the approval strategy, prepare technical documentation, organise the test campaigns required by the project and support changes after production starts. Regulatory monitoring connects each stage.
M N O vehicles and specialist applications
Our support covers M1 passenger cars, M2 and M3 buses and coaches, N1 light commercial vehicles and N2 and N3 trucks, and O1 to O4 trailers and semi-trailers. We work on series production programmes, small series, vehicle conversions and individual builds.
Special-purpose vehicles, emergency and fire-fighting vehicles, military applications and off-road vehicles require an assessment of their intended use. We examine operating conditions, road use, category and destination market before defining the approach. A vehicle intended for armed forces or off-road use does not automatically fall under the same framework as a series-produced road vehicle.
For conversions based on an existing chassis, we assess the impact on requirements already covered by the base vehicle approval, the evidence that can be retained and the additional work needed. This is particularly relevant to bodywork, changes to wheelbase or masses, specialist equipment and powertrain modifications.
EU type approval small series and individual approval
The approval route is a programme decision. It depends on the vehicle, production volumes, destination countries and the manufacturer’s organisation.
We support EU vehicle type approval, often referred to as RCE in French projects, national small-series type approval — NKS, and individual approval — RI. We also support the French RTI procedure where appropriate. For multi-stage approval, we prepare the documentation and clarify responsibilities and interfaces between the base vehicle manufacturer and the manufacturer responsible for the subsequent stage.
The strategy defines types, variants and versions, representative configurations, applicable requirements and supporting documents. Any proposed exemptions are substantiated against the relevant provisions and vehicle use; their acceptance is a matter for the competent authority.
Technical documentation that reflects the vehicle
We prepare and maintain vehicle information documents, subject-specific technical files and supporting material: specifications, drawings, diagrams, masses and dimensions, component lists, component approval certificates and available test results.
Consistency matters as much as completeness. A component change, new variant or replacement supplier must be traceable to the references, revisions and configurations recorded in the file. We identify missing information, follow open items with the engineering teams and prepare the technical responses needed during the application process.
This traceability supports subsequent extensions and revisions and reduces the need to reconstruct the documentation whenever the programme changes.
Regulatory subjects in detail
Requirements are addressed according to the vehicle category and configuration. Our assignments cover subjects including lighting and light-signalling installation under UNECE R48, braking under R13 or R13-H, protective devices under R58, R73 and R93, couplings under R55 and electromagnetic compatibility under R10.
General safety requirements also involve driver assistance functions and their installation: reversing visibility and detection under R158, blind spot information under R151, moving-off information under R159, and other GSR2 functions required for the vehicle concerned. Scope and implementation dates are assessed for the specific application, with particular attention to converted and special-purpose vehicles.
For electric and hydrogen powertrains, we address requirements relating to energy storage, the powertrain and their installation in the vehicle, including R100 and R134 where applicable. Emissions, fuel or energy consumption, on-board diagnostics and destination-market requirements complete the assessment according to the programme.
UNECE R155 and R156
Cybersecurity — R155. We support the assessment of applicable vehicle requirements and preparation of supporting evidence: system boundaries, interfaces with added equipment, supplier documentation and the impact of conversions. The relationship with the manufacturer’s Cyber Security Management System — CSMS is considered from the start.
Software updates — R156. We support preparation of the Software Update Management System — SUMS, control of software configurations and versions, assessment of update effects on approved characteristics and traceability of supporting evidence. RXSWIN identifiers are included where required. For trailers and semi-trailers, the assessment also addresses electronic equipment and software supplied with components.
Regulatory monitoring throughout the V-cycle
Regulatory monitoring starts with the requirements and implementation dates relevant to the programme. It continues with analysis of new provisions, amendments and their implications for the vehicle, its components and the programme schedule.
We turn these changes into work for the teams: requirements to add to specifications, architecture decisions to review, supplier information to obtain, validation activities to plan or approval documentation to update. Regulatory reviews follow the V-cycle milestones, from definition of the need through integration and vehicle validation.
Each regulatory change can therefore be linked to affected configurations, a responsible person and an action. After the start of production, the same method supports monitoring of implementation dates and their consequences for vehicles still being manufactured or marketed.
Test preparation and follow-up
We establish the test programme from the requirements and configurations to be covered. Preparation includes representative vehicles, installation conditions, instrumentation, necessary facilities and supporting documentation.
We follow test campaigns with the manufacturer’s teams and the relevant test centres, analyse results and coordinate resolution of technical issues. Development and calibration tests help prepare the vehicle. Tests and documents intended for approval follow the procedures and involve the competent parties required for the relevant scope.
Series production COC CNIT and COP
The start of production does not bring approval work to an end. We support design changes, component substitutions, new versions and software modifications by assessing their consequences for the documentation and existing approvals.
For Certificates of Conformity — COC, we prepare and check the data and tools used by the manufacturer. We also help compile the information required for the French CNIT identification process; allocation remains the responsibility of the relevant body.
Conformity of Production — COP relies on controlled characteristics, defined checks and usable records. We help manufacturers prepare documentation, control plans and change follow-up, maintaining a reliable connection between each configuration produced and its approved definition.
Europe and international markets
A programme targeting several markets requires early comparison of their requirements. We conduct gap analyses and prepare technical information for the selected destinations, drawing on our work on European programmes and the international markets represented in our references.
Our assignments have also covered emissions, consumption and on-board diagnostics for EPA and CARB applications, including OBD descriptions, Auxiliary Emission Control Devices — AECD and preparation of supporting data. Scope is defined for each country and programme.
Discuss your project
Contact us →The services described comprise consultancy, engineering and support for manufacturers. Approval decisions and the associated regulatory acts remain the responsibility of the competent authorities and bodies.