CITA TA Meetings hosted by VIAS in Brussels
On 30 September and 01 October 2025, CITA members gathered in Brussels for a new round of Topic Area (TA) meetings, generously hosted by VIAS Institute at its headquarters (Haachtsesteenweg – Chaussée de Haecht 1405, 1130 Brussels). The programme included the meetings of TA A – R&D Vehicle Compliance, TA E – Quality, Training & Confidence, and TA D – Environmental Protection Systems, complemented by a technical visit to VIAS laboratories, a visit to a vehicle inspection centre, and a special invitation to DEKRA’s centenary celebration.
Topic Area A – R&D Vehicle Compliance / The meetings opened on 30 September with TA A. After words of welcome, participants received updates from the Secretariat and from VIAS, followed by a presentation on noise measurement of electric vehicles. The session continued with reports from the Task Forces on ADAS, Electric Vehicles, and Type Approval, before moving into discussions on recent regulatory updates and the RWP process across the European institutions.
Topic Area E – Quality, Training & Confidence / That same afternoon, TA E convened. VIAS presented its training programmes for operators, followed by a presentation from ENAC on the main changes in the ISO 17020 FDIS and the expected next steps. Bilprovning contributed insights on the impact of the revised ISO 17020 in Sweden, with emphasis on quality, training, and independence. Members then reviewed ongoing work from the Task Force on Quality and exchanged perspectives on future priorities.
DEKRA 100-Year Anniversary Event / On the evening of 30 September, DEKRA warmly welcomed all CITA participants to a memorable 100-year anniversary celebration at Autoworld Brussels. This special event was an opportunity to recognise a century of contributions to vehicle safety and inspection, while offering members a convivial networking setting.
Technical Visit to VIAS and Inspection Centre / The programme continued on 01 October with a technical visit opened by Karin Genoe, CEO of VIAS. Participants had the opportunity to explore several of VIAS’ highly specialised laboratories:
- Lab ALC: verification and homologation of alcohol testers and locks
- Lab ATP: control of refrigerated trucks for the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs
- Lab CAM: calibration and checking of speed enforcement devices (radars, red-light cameras, average speed cams)
- Lab CAS: testing of protective helmets (motorbike, bicycle, child helmets EN1080, and speed pedelec helmets)
- Lab CAV: verification of devices used in vehicle inspection centres in Belgium
- Lab MEC: approval and calibration of tachograph and speed limitation device tools
The visit concluded with a guided tour of the inspection centre in Haaren, giving members an overview of daily inspection practices.
Topic Area D – Environmental Protection Systems / In the afternoon of 01 October, TA D held its session. Presentations included verification of emission tests in Belgium, PN measurement verifications, and an overview of emission tester calibration in Germany. DEKRA and TÜV Süd shared first results from a field study on OBD use for motorcycles and presented investigations into engine and SCR warm-up phases. The meeting closed with an update from the Task Force Emissions, highlighting ongoing work on emissions-related contents in the RWP.
VIAS Symposium – “Safe Journeys” / The programme concluded on 02 October with the VIAS symposium “Safe Journeys”, where experts, policymakers, and stakeholders exchanged perspectives on mobility safety, inspection, and future challenges in road transport.
CITA warmly thanks VIAS for its excellent hospitality and organisation of these events. The meetings not only advanced the technical and regulatory discussions within the different Topic Areas but also offered members a unique opportunity to connect with VIAS’ laboratories and to celebrate DEKRA’s centenary together.
