Africa Automotive Analysis Limited (AAA), established in 2018, is a vehicle inspection company operating in Zambia and an ISO/IEC 17020:2012 accredited inspection partner of AutoTerminal Japan (ATJ). AAA conducts Roadworthiness Inspections for used vehicles imported into Zambia, supporting compliance with applicable national vehicle safety and roadworthiness requirements.
For further information about AAA and our operations, please find their brochure.
DEKRA Automotive (Pty) Ltd commenced operations in South Africa on 1 October 2008 with its core products of Certificate of Roadworthiness and various vehicle inspection services such as technical inspections, condition reports, multi-point and safety checks.
Using the expertise of highly qualified employees and innovative services and products, DEKRA Automotive (Pty) Ltd established a Test Centre network and now has a national footprint of over 44 vehicle inspection test centres with a workforce of over 500 people.
CITA is pleased to announce the signing of a Manifest of Understanding with the African Association of Road Safety Leading Agencies (AARSLA), establishing a framework for closer cooperation in support of road safety and sustainable mobility across Africa.
The agreement reflects the shared objectives of CITA and AARSLA and their commitment to strengthening collaboration, exchanging knowledge and promoting good practices among their respective members.
Africa continues to face major road safety challenges. Although the continent accounts for only around 4% of the world's vehicles, it represents nearly 20% of global road traffic deaths. Against this background, road safety agencies from across Africa came together to establish AARSLA and create a coordinated platform for action.
The initiative emerged from discussions at continental road safety forums, where national agencies recognized the value of closer cooperation and knowledge exchange. In June 2025, delegates from more than 20 African countries gathered in Lusaka, Zambia, for AARSLA's inaugural assembly, formally launching the association. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of Nigeria was appointed as its founding secretariat.
AARSLA's objectives include strengthening cooperation among African road safety lead agencies, facilitating the exchange of experience and information, supporting institutional capacity development, promoting good practices in road safety governance and advancing an African agenda for road safety and sustainable mobility.
Through the Manifest of Understanding, CITA and AARSLA will cooperate through the exchange of information, programmes, publications, best practices and standards. The two organisations also intend to facilitate participation in each other's congresses, seminars and workshops, promote their respective activities and strengthen contacts between their staff and members.
Where appropriate, the partnership also provides for collaborative research, joint working groups and other joint initiatives on topics of mutual interest. The Manifest foresees at least two coordination meetings per year to maintain an active dialogue and identify opportunities for concrete cooperation.
For CITA, the partnership provides an important opportunity to contribute its international expertise in vehicle compliance and inspection while learning from the experience and priorities of African road safety authorities. CITA's activities cover the entire vehicle lifecycle and include the exchange of best practices, development of recommendations and international standards, research, training and capacity building related to vehicle compliance and inspection.
The MoU was signed by Lateef Ramoni, Head of Secretariat/Focal Person of AARSLA, on 3 August 2026, and by Ferose Oaten, President of CITA's RAG Africa and Vice President of CITA, and Gerhard Müller, President of CITA, on 11 August 2026.
This new partnership reinforces CITA's commitment to international cooperation and to supporting effective vehicle compliance systems as an essential component of safer and more sustainable road transport. By connecting CITA's global vehicle inspection and compliance community with AARSLA's network of African road safety agencies, the two organisations aim to facilitate the exchange of expertise, strengthen institutional cooperation and contribute to safer mobility across the African continent.
Center for Automotive Engineering (CentarAI) is an engineering and technical services company specializing in the automotive, transport, mechanical and industrial sectors. The company operates as expert institution for vehicle technical inspections and vehicle certification in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska.
Its activities include technical inspection procedures and supervision, vehicle certification and homologation, inspection and classification of pressure equipment, laboratory testing of safety devices, and professional education and training. CentarAI also develops technical procedures, expert guidelines and documentation and provides data processing and technical support related to vehicle inspection processes.
The company combines engineering expertise, modern technology and accredited inspection and laboratory capabilities, serving industries including transport, chemical, food and oil industries.
For more details, please visit the links:
Last 11 August 2026, CITA President Gerhard Müller was invited by Dr Peter Geigle, CEO of CITA Corporate Member MAHA, to the company’s headquarters and R&D centre in Haldenwang for an exchange of views on the future of vehicle inspection technologies.
During the visit, Mr Müller had the opportunity to experience first-hand MAHA’s latest developments in modern vehicle testing technologies. These included the MAST 2.0 functional test bench for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the autonomous robotic assistant MAIA, and state-of-the-art headlamp testing equipment.
Mr. Müller welcomed these innovative inspection technologies, which can help ensure that PTI not only keeps pace with the rapid technological development of modern vehicles, but also becomes more efficient and effective in assessing vehicle safety and functionality.
In addition, he provided an update on the current status of the revision of the European Roadworthiness Package and discussed the future requirements for vehicle inspection arising from it.
Driving the Future of Vehicle Inspection in Latin America
Over the past years, Latin America has witnessed growing interest in strengthening vehicle inspection systems as a key contributor to road safety, environmental protection and sustainable mobility. As Chairperson of CITA's Regional Advisory Group (RAG) LatAm, Marcelo Martínez - Regional EVP Auto LatAm at Applus - has been at the forefront of this evolution, promoting international cooperation and supporting governments across the region in modernizing their technical inspection frameworks.
From speaking at the International Vehicle Safety Congress in Colombia to advising the Peruvian Ministry of Transport on best practices in vehicle inspection, Marcelo has played an active role in bringing CITA's expertise closer to policymakers and industry stakeholders throughout Latin America.
In this interview, he shares his perspective on the progress made across the region, the challenges that remain, and his vision for the future of CITA's activities in Latin America.
Questions
1. During the past year, CITA has been increasingly involved in supporting vehicle inspection initiatives across Latin America. From your perspective, what are the most significant developments you have seen in the region, and what role has CITA played in supporting these changes?
In those countries across Latin America where there is a willingness to implement new ideas and improve the technical quality of vehicle inspections, we are always ready to collaborate by sharing our expertise in the field.
Ecuador, for instance, has implemented new regulations and IT systems that prevent fraud and unfair competition while simultaneously enhancing the technical quality of the inspections carried out. CITA has played a key role in this process, which began following the Regional Conference we organised in Quito in December 2023. With the participation of the Vice Minister of Transport and other senior officials, that event marked the beginning of our collaboration with the government to develop these successful reforms.
2. You have recently engaged with authorities in countries such as Colombia and Peru, where technical inspection is becoming an increasingly important topic for improving road safety. What are the main challenges these countries face, and how can CITA continue to provide added value to governments and industry stakeholders across the region?
In May this year, I had the opportunity to present on behalf of CITA at the International Road Safety Congress organised by Colombia’s ANSV (National Road Safety Agency) in Cartagena de Indias. The aim was to explain the importance of well-performed vehicle inspections as a fundamental tool for improving road safety.
Given that the country faces quality issues in its inspection processes—stemming from a deregulated market with too many competitors—the phrase "well-performed" takes on particular significance.
Following the interest generated by CITA’s presentation at that event, we have been invited to speak this coming November at the Congress of the National Association of Automotive Diagnostic Centres (ASO-CDA), to be held in Cali.
Our intention is to elaborate on our position regarding how a vehicle inspection system should be structured to ensure both economic and technical viability in Latin America. Furthermore, we aim to exchange ideas with experts in the Colombian market to identify potential regulatory and operational improvements.
A similar level of interest exists in Peru, where we have held a series of meetings with officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications to support regulatory changes aimed at improving the quality of the country's technical inspection system.
Peru currently faces challenges typical of a market with low compliance, an uneven distribution of inspection stations (with an oversupply in several inland cities affecting service quality), and concerns regarding the technical standards applied during inspections. There is still much work to be done, and CITA possesses the expertise needed to be a valuable partner in driving these improvements.
3. As Chairperson of CITA RAG Latin America, where do you see the greatest opportunities for strengthening CITA's presence and impact in the region? Are there any initiatives, services or areas of cooperation that you believe CITA should further develop to better support its members?
In my opinion, to identify opportunities, we must remain attentive to the needs of the various countries in our region regarding their technical inspection systems, while also considering political timelines, as these are long-term decisions requiring significant commitment from governments.
A case in point is the Dominican Republic, where the government has decided to implement a nationwide technical inspection system. Faced with the need to make significant decisions regarding its design and implementation, we identified an opportunity to establish a stronger presence through our 2025 Regional Conference.
From a more technical perspective, there is still a great deal of work to be done across the region regarding the inspection of hybrid, electric and autonomous vehicles. We are receiving enquiries from several governments, including Chile's, as the timeframe for adapting existing legislation becomes increasingly pressing. CITA’s expertise in this area is an asset that we should continue to leverage in our cooperation with governments.
4. Last year's CITA RAG Latin America Conference in Santo Domingo was widely recognized as a successful event, bringing together experts, authorities and industry representatives from across the region. Looking ahead to the next CITA RAG LATAM Conference, what are your expectations, and why is this event becoming such an important platform for advancing vehicle inspection and road safety in Latin America?
It is gratifying to have received such positive feedback on our recent conference in Santo Domingo. This encourages us to continue organizing these events, which are gaining increasing recognition throughout the region.
They provide an ideal forum for exchanging ideas, keeping abreast of the latest technical developments, and accessing reliable information on global trends in vehicle inspection.
This is essential to advancing the objective shared by all our events: strengthening the recognition across Latin America that vehicle inspection is a fundamental tool for improving road safety.
Following the 2026 CITA General Assembly, we are pleased to introduce Lotte Dijkink, Senior Adviser International Affairs at RDW, who was elected as a Regular Member of the CITA Permanent Bureau.
Lotte first joined the Bureau as an observer, succeeding Geert Konings following his retirement. Over the past year, she has gained valuable insight into the Bureau's work and the strategic challenges facing CITA. Her election as a Regular Member marks the beginning of a new chapter in her contribution to the organisation.
As part of our summer interview series, we asked Lotte to share her first impressions, priorities, and vision for the future of CITA.
1. You have recently been elected as a Regular Member of the CITA Permanent Bureau after serving as an observer for the past year. What motivated you to take on this role, and what are your first impressions of the work carried out by the Bureau?
Having served as an observer in the Bureau Permanent (BP) over the past year, I was motivated to strengthen CITA’s international cooperation and to actively support policy and technical developments that lead to safer vehicles and a cleaner environment. For me personally, joining CITA as a member of its BP means joining a community that believes that every life lost on the road is one too many. Being elected as Regular Member therefore feels both as a great honour and as a profound responsibility.
On behalf of RDW, I coordinate the negotiations for the EU Roadworthiness Package, acting as the liaison to both the Ministry and international stakeholders, including CITA. This role has provided me with valuable insight into both CITA’s activities and governance as well as a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities vehicle inspection is facing. Through RDW’s legal responsibilities across the vehicle chain, I have also developed a wider perspective that connects inspection with registration, type approval and relevant policy developments.
I believe I can bring a complementary profile to the BP. While many members have a strong technical background, my own experience is more that of a generalist, operating at the intersection of policy, regulation and stakeholder engagement. In addition, being based in RDW’s office in Brussels – just a stone’s throw away from the CITA office – allows me to stay closely connected and actively involved.
My first impressions of the BP are very positive. I am deeply impressed by the professionalism, expertise and collaborative spirit of its members. The BP can play a key role in shaping CITA’s strategic direction and ensuring that our collective know-how supports safer, cleaner and more sustainable mobility.
2. CITA plays an increasingly important role in representing the interests of the vehicle inspection community at European and international levels. From your perspective, where can CITA make the greatest impact over the coming years?
CITA is already highly influential at both EU and UNECE level, providing strong expertise and consistently ensuring that the role of PTI is recognised in policy and regulatory discussions.
Over the coming years, I believe CITA can make its greatest impact by promoting a more integrated view of the vehicle lifecycle. Type approval, registration, PTI and end-of-life management can no longer be treated as separate domains. They are becoming increasingly connected, particularly as more attention is given to vehicles once they are on the road. It is essential to ensure that vehicles remain safe, compliant and sustainable throughout their lifetime. This will become even more important as digitalisation, decarbonisation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape mobility. Since the vast majority of vehicles on Europe’s roads will remain in use for many years, the vehicle-in-use perspective is more relevant than ever. And because this is a global challenge, not just a European one, CITA is well positioned to support the exchange of knowledge and best practices between regions and jurisdictions worldwide.
I believe CITA can also play an important role in bridging the gaps between different policy areas and stakeholders, including the European Commission (in particular but not limited to DG MOVE, DG GROW and DG ENV), helping to create a more coherent and future-proof regulatory framework.
3. The revision of the EU Roadworthiness Package is one of the most significant legislative developments currently affecting our sector. What opportunities and challenges do you see for CITA and its members, and what do you believe should be the key priorities during the legislative process?
The revision of the Roadworthiness Package represents both a major opportunity and a significant challenge for CITA and its members. The legislative process is already well underway, and CITA has been actively engaged throughout, providing expertise at key moments and organising events and discussions to ensure that the voice of the PTI community is heard.
As the Council and the European Parliament work towards a final agreement on the proposals, it will remain important for CITA to advocate for a robust and future-proof framework that reflects technological developments while preserving the essential role of PTI in ensuring road safety and environmental compliance. At the same time, it is crucial that new requirements are not only ambitious, but also pragmatic and easy to implement for both public authorities and companies responsible for applying them in practice.
Looking ahead, I believe it is also important to prepare for the phase after the legislation is adopted. Many key aspects will be further defined through so-called implementing and delegated acts, including important topics such as data access. CITA and its members play a pivotal role in bringing their operational expertise to these forums and helping ensure that the new framework can be implemented effectively.
In my view, CITA should ultimately aim to remain a proactive and trusted partner for policymakers, both during the legislative process and throughout the subsequent implementation phase. And naturally, also act as a platform for exchange between its members when it is time to implement the roadworthiness package.
4. Looking ahead, are there any areas where you believe CITA could further strengthen its role or better support its members? If you could introduce one new initiative or improvement, what would it be?
CITA already does an excellent job representing its members and responding to ongoing policy developments. Looking ahead, I believe CITA could further strengthen its role by placing an even greater emphasis on strategic foresight and long-term priorities.
In a rapidly changing policy environment, it is important not only to react to legislative proposals as they emerge, but also to anticipate future developments and help shape the policy and legislative agendas at both the EU and global level. This means looking beyond the immediate horizon and identifying where the vehicle-in-use perspective should be positioned in future policy discussions.
If I were to suggest one area for improvement, it would be the introduction of a more structured process for developing long-term strategic objectives and key messages for policymakers. While the next European Commission may still seem some way off, this is the right moment for CITA to start shaping the priorities and core messages it would want to bring to the new Commission. By early preparation and taking a long-term view, CITA can strengthen its influence and ensure that the interests and expertise of its members are considered from the outset of future policy initiatives. With its broad expertise, committed membership and strong international network, I am confident that CITA is well equipped to take on this role successfully.
"Changing perceptions: How communication can strengthen road safety and environmental protection"
Since 2022, AECA-ITV has been leading one of Europe's most ambitious public awareness campaigns promoting the value of Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI). Under the slogan "Si no pasas, PÁSALA", the initiative has sought to remind citizens that vehicle inspection is far more than a legal obligation - it is a vital contribution to road safety, cleaner air and the protection of society.
The campaign, deployed across Spain through more than 400 inspection stations and supported by television, radio, digital media and social networks, has become a reference example of effective public communication. In 2025, CITA presented the initiative during one of its webinars as a best practice for promoting PTI worldwide.
Some years after its launch, we spoke with Guillermo Magaz, Managing Director of AECA-ITV, to discuss the campaign's evolution, the lessons learned, and how communication can help build a stronger safety culture.
1. Some years after launching "Si no pasas, PÁSALA", how do you assess the campaign's impact? Have you observed tangible changes in public awareness, driver behaviour or compliance with PTI requirements? Which indicators give you the clearest picture of its success?
When AECA-ITV members decided to give greater visibility to one of the key assets that Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI) provides to society, the initiative was conceived as a long-term strategy consisting of different actions over an extended period.
However, it is important to explain the context. The post-pandemic period was particularly critical for road safety and environmental protection due to two main factors: the ageing of the vehicle fleet and the increasing number of vehicles circulating with an expired roadworthiness test (PTI).
This situation prompted PTI operators to react and take action. As a result, we launched the campaign “Si no pasas, PÁSALA” as our first major initiative. However, this campaign was only the beginning.
Communication experts often say that if you want to convince society of a message that serves its interests—in this case, the essential contribution of PTI to road safety and environmental protection—you must follow the principle that “constant dripping wears away the stone.” We have followed this recommendation ever since.
Therefore, every year we implement different campaigns and initiatives, either independently or in collaboration with other partners. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the impact of a single campaign or action in isolation.
Nevertheless, we can provide some significant indicators of the strategic success. One of the most relevant is the reduction in the percentage of vehicles with an expired roadworthiness test: from 37% in 2020 to 30% in 2025.
Another important effect has been on the behaviour of communication media, politicians and public authorities, as they are also receiving our messages. Through our communication activities, we have helped draw attention to these social issues and their impact on both road safety and environmental protection
2. Your recent communications continue to highlight the relationship between overdue inspections, vehicle defects and road safety. Have the campaign and the publication of new evidence helped change the public conversation around PTI - from being perceived as an administrative obligation to being recognised as an essential safety and environmental measure?
Yes, it did. The development of various communication initiatives, publications and awareness campaigns, providing information, data and, above all, images of the defects detected during PTI inspections, helps highlight the importance of our work and contributes to changing society’s perception of PTI.
However, this requires a sustained effort over time. A common mistake is to think that a single action can change public perception of PTI. Instead, it must be part of a long-term strategy implemented over several years and adapted to the different target audiences.
To achieve this, it is essential to create useful and relevant information for citizens about the different aspects of roadworthiness testing, while ensuring the widest possible dissemination and engagement with the public.
3. Looking back, what have been the most valuable lessons from developing a long-term communication campaign on PTI? Were there any approaches, messages or communication channels that proved particularly effective in engaging drivers and increasing public understanding?
Of course, the first key element is to have a clear, direct and impactful message that conveys the value of PTI and generates as much newsworthy content as possible, so that it can be picked up and replicated by the media, thereby achieving broad coverage.
However, I would like to introduce a point that I am convinced is the main barrier for many organisations considering communication initiatives to promote the value of PTI: the cost involved.
When planning a communication campaign, it is important first to define the target audience you want to reach. Based on this and on the desired level of coverage, the most appropriate communication channels can then be identified.
It is obvious that costs are directly linked to the audience reach of each medium. However, if the campaign is aimed at a specific group of people—for example, motorcycle users—social media can be a very effective and cost-efficient tool.
On the other hand, if broader coverage is required, it becomes necessary to use more mainstream and expensive media channels, such as television.
It is also highly advisable to seek media partners, as well as foundations or road safety organisations, that are willing to embrace and promote our messages. In Spain, for example, we have reached an agreement with the Road Safety Platform of the country's leading media group, which has fully adopted and supported our objective of highlighting the importance of PTI for society
4. Many vehicle inspection organisations around the world are looking for new ways to improve public acceptance of PTI. Based on AECA-ITV's experience, what advice would you give to other CITA members who wish to develop similar awareness campaigns in their own countries?
Firstly, I would like to encourage all CITA Members—whether private companies, public organisations or public authorities—to actively promote the importance of the work carried out through PTI in saving lives. It is not enough to do our job well; we must also communicate the positive impact that PTI has on society and the risks associated with neglecting vehicle inspections. In doing so, we can help change the perception that some citizens may still have of PTI.
However, achieving the greatest possible media impact requires broad support and consensus among all stakeholders.
Our work saves lives every day, and society deserves to know it.
Kempten, Germany – 16 July 2026. CITA's Task Force on Lighting Devices and Reflectors (TF LDR) met on 16 July 2026 at the MAHA facilities in Kempten, the oldest city in Germany, to advance work on the inspection of vehicle lighting systems and headlamp aiming.
The meeting focused on preparing a live demonstration that will be presented during the forthcoming UNECE GRE sessions, illustrating the practical challenges faced by PTI organisations when assessing modern headlamp alignment. As vehicle lighting technologies continue to evolve, the task force highlighted the increasing importance of ensuring that inspection procedures remain effective in real-world conditions.
A key topic of discussion was the difference between the controlled conditions under which lighting systems are approved during vehicle type approval and the conditions encountered during routine inspections throughout a vehicle's lifetime. TF members exchanged technical expertise and practical experience to demonstrate why PTI procedures must adequately reflect the realities of vehicles in service in order to maintain road safety and minimise glare for other road users.
The meeting also contributed to the ongoing discussions within UNECE WP.29, particularly the work carried out under GRE on glare prevention. By providing practical inspection perspectives and technical evidence, CITA continues to support the development of regulations that are both technically robust and applicable throughout the entire life cycle of vehicles.
CITA sincerely thanks MAHA for hosting the meeting and for its generous hospitality.
Friday - 3 July 2026, CITA hosted an exclusive webinar for its members entitled "Institutional Framework for Vehicle Regulations", providing participants with a comprehensive overview of the international and European regulatory systems that shape vehicle legislation and roadworthiness requirements. The webinar was moderated by Eduard Fernández, Executive Director of CITA, and Alejandro Checa, Technical Director of CITA.
As vehicle technologies evolve rapidly and regulations become increasingly interconnected at international level, understanding how regulatory decisions are developed has become essential for vehicle approval authorities, inspection organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders. The webinar aimed to strengthen participants' knowledge of the institutional processes behind vehicle regulations and to clarify how the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) work together to create harmonised regulatory frameworks.
Alejandro Checa opened the technical programme with an overview of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regulatory framework and the central role of World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) in developing internationally harmonised vehicle requirements. Participants were introduced to the structure of WP.29, its Global Regulatory Bodies (GRs), Informal Working Groups (IWGs), and the collaborative process through which technical regulations are developed.
The presentation also explained the three major international agreements that underpin global vehicle regulation:
Special attention was given to the distinction between UN Regulations, UN Rules, and Global Technical Regulations (GTRs), helping participants better understand how each legal instrument contributes to vehicle safety, environmental performance and roadworthiness throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
In the second part of the webinar, Eduard Fernández presented the European Union institutional framework, explaining how vehicle legislation is developed, negotiated and implemented within the EU.
The session introduced the different types of EU legal acts—including Regulations, Directives, Implementing Acts and Delegated Acts—highlighting their respective legal effects and illustrating them with practical examples from vehicle type approval and roadworthiness legislation.
Participants also gained insight into the strategic and legislative roles of the European Council, European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union, together with the ordinary legislative procedure and the trilogue negotiations that ultimately shape European legislation. The presentation concluded with practical guidance on using key EU resources such as EUR-Lex and the Have Your Say consultation portal, enabling stakeholders to follow legislative developments and contribute to public consultations.
The webinar highlighted the close relationship between international and European regulatory frameworks and demonstrated how decisions taken within UNECE and the European Union ultimately influence vehicle approval, roadworthiness testing, environmental performance and emerging technologies such as automated and connected vehicles.