April 1st, 2025 – Cotonou, Benin. CITA proudly took part in the Diplôme Universitaire de Sécurité Routière pour l’Afrique (DUSRA), a road safety diploma program led by the Université Gustave Eiffel (Paris), reaffirming its commitment to global road safety initiatives.
Representing CITA, Mr. Eduard Fernández, Executive Director, delivered a 4-hour in-person lecture to an audience of African mid-level officers and road safety experts in Cotonou, Benin. His session focused on best practices in vehicle inspection systems, the role of international cooperation in road safety, and strategies to enhance vehicle compliance as a key component of safe and sustainable mobility in Africa.
This contribution is part of CITA’s broader mission to promote international collaboration and share expertise in vehicle safety and inspection systems. By actively engaging with regional programs such as DUSRA, CITA continues to support the development of local capacities and strengthen efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and improve transport systems across the continent.
The DUSRA program offers a platform to foster knowledge exchange, combining academic rigor with practical insights tailored to the African context.
CITA is honored to be among the contributors to this important initiative.
On Thursday, 27 March 2025, CITA President Mr. Gerhard Müller represented CITA at the prestigious “INNO PTI 2025 – Conference on Periodic Technical Inspection” held at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. This event brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the future of roadworthiness testing in an evolving automotive landscape. The conference, organized in cooperation with BME ITS Nonprofit Zrt., focused on advancing technical inspection methods through development, technological innovation, and digitalization.
Key topics included:
Holistic testing of modern vehicles across the entire lifecycle – from development to operation.
The role of digitalization and interconnectivity in enabling safe and sustainable mobility.
The need for a modern, innovation-friendly legal environment that supports harmonized vehicle inspection frameworks.
In his presentation titled “The Future Regulatory Framework Between PTI and e-PTI,” Mr. Müller addressed the importance of aligning traditional PTI with emerging electronic PTI (e-PTI) practices. Highlights from his presentation included:
Showcasing international studies from Türkiye, Spain, the USA, and Slovakia that underline the positive impact of PTI on road safety.
Emphasizing the increasing role of Automated Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) in enhancing vehicle safety and the necessity of integrating these systems into inspection regimes.
Advocating for whole life vehicle compliance to ensure vehicles maintain high safety and emission standards throughout their lifespan.
Recommending the adoption of e-PTI to enable access to vehicle data, which is essential for the effective inspection of ADAS and other digital systems during PTI.
During the event, Mr. Müller also engaged in insightful discussions on the future challenges of PTI with Dr. János Kerékgyártó, Deputy State Secretary for Transport Authority Affairs of the Ministry of Construction and Transport, and Mr. Róbert Mikulás, Head of the Road Transport Authority Department.
CITA is honored to have contributed to this dialogue and remains committed to shaping the future of vehicle inspection through innovation, collaboration, and the promotion of high safety and environmental standards worldwide.
CITA proudly participated at the 15th VERT Forum and VERT Focus Day 2025, held on March 27th and 28th at the Akademie EMPA in Dübendorf, Switzerland. This prestigious annual event brings together leading experts from industry, research institutions, and regulatory bodies to address the most pressing developments in emission control technologies and sustainable solutions for cleaner air.
This year’s VERT Forum, hosted exclusively as an in-person event, provided a platform to share insights and foster collaboration on the future of emissions monitoring and reduction. The agenda featured a rich lineup of presentations, showcasing innovation, policy alignment, and practical implementation strategies across the mobility and environmental sectors.
CITA was represented by Pascal Buekenhoudt, Vice-President of Technical Affairs, and Alejandro Checa, Technical Director. Both played active roles in the forum, contributing to discussions that shape the global landscape of vehicle emissions testing and control.
Mr. Checa delivered a compelling presentation emphasizing the importance of effective coordination between type approval and periodic technical inspection (PTI) processes. His talk highlighted how harmonized and robust testing procedures are critical to ensuring that vehicle emission limit requirements are consistently met—not only in regulatory frameworks but in real-world scenarios.
Mr. Buekenhoudt’ presentation, "PN-PTI Successfully Implemented Requires Little Extra Effort in PTI-Stations," illustrated how particle number measurements can be effectively integrated into PTI without significantly increasing operational burden. His insights showcased a CITA’s member practical experience in promoting high-impact, feasible solutions for emission compliance.
Engaging in high-level discussions with global leaders, policymakers, and technical experts further reinforced CITA's commitment to driving innovation and establishing new standards in vehicle emission control. It remains dedicated to playing an active role in shaping the future of emissions testing and sustainable transport solutions.
CITA is grateful to VERT for providing such a collaborative space where knowledge, research, and regulatory foresight came together.
CITA participated in the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP), held from March 24th to 27th in Cotonou, Benin. The high-level event, organized by SSATP under the auspices of the World Bank and in collaboration with Benin’s Ministry in charge of Sustainable Development and Transport (MCTV), brought together prominent figures from across Africa’s transport sector to engage in dynamic discussions on the future of mobility and road safety on the continent.
Representing CITA at the event was Executive Director Eduard Fernández, who joined the distinguished group participants, including transport ministers, senior policymakers, development partners, and technical experts. The gathering marked an important moment for the SSATP community, being the first AGM convened since the launch of the program’s Fourth Development Plan (DP4) in July 2022. With DP4 now approaching its mid-term review, the meeting served as a timely opportunity to reflect on progress, reassess goals, and reinforce commitments to improving road safety across Africa.
Centered on the theme “Strengthened Governance for Safe, Sustainable, and Decarbonized Transport in Africa: Enhancing Institutional Capacity through Regional Collaboration,” the conference highlighted the pressing need for integrated approaches and cross-border partnerships. In this context, Mr. Fernández contributed CITA’s global expertise on vehicle inspection and compliance systems as key tools in improving road safety outcomes and achieving environmental targets.
Throughout the four-day event, CITA engaged in technical sessions and dialogue aimed at identifying best practices, sharing policy innovations, and exploring scalable solutions to critical transport challenges. Mr. Fernández’s participation underscored CITA’s commitment to supporting African countries in their efforts to build robust regulatory frameworks and enhance institutional capacity in road safety.
As the AGM concluded with the SSATP General Assembly, CITA reaffirmed its dedication to continued collaboration with African partners, offering technical support and knowledge-sharing to foster safer, more sustainable, and decarbonized transport systems across the continent.
MASVIC Group is a vehicle testing and Inspection centers established in August 2017 in Ghana with authorisation from the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) to perform equipment based vehicle testing that will ensure maximun International Standard Road Safety.
MASVIC Group supports and promotes the Zero-Emission Campagn mission.
Yesterday - March 19, 2025 - the European Parliament hosted the event "The Future of Mobility: Working Together for Road Safety and Driving European Leadership", led by MEP Vivien Costanzo, a dedicated member of the TRAN Committee. Co-hosted by CITA, EReg, CEDR, and CIECA, the event brought together policymakers, regulators, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of mobility in Europe.
The event underscored the critical role of collaboration between regulatory authorities and the private sector in shaping the future of European mobility. EReg, CEDR, CIECA, and CITA — four of the most influential organizations in the mobility ecosystem — highlighted their collective responsibility in implementing the EU’s regulatory framework for road safety, infrastructure, and vehicle compliance.
Key discussions revolved around the rapidly evolving mobility landscape, including:
Registration & Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Data
The debate focused on the necessity of forward-thinking policies to adapt to technological advancements and shifting global markets. The European automotive sector faces unprecedented challenges, from digital transformation and automation to stringent environmental and safety regulations.
A systemic approach is required to address:
The impact of climate change on road mobility
The integration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS)
The role of artificial intelligence in driving safety and compliance
The EU automotive industry's position in a rapidly changing global market
The event emphasized the need for Europe to maintain its leadership in the global automotive industry while upholding core European values: safety, sustainability, transparency, and human-centered mobility.
Participants discussed key legislative initiatives shaping the future of mobility, including:
The Roadworthiness and Road Safety Packages
The 4th Driving License Directive
The Clean Industrial Deal
Regulations on Circular Economy and End-of-Life Vehicles
Digitalization efforts such as the EU Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet and Data Act
The conversation reinforced the necessity of a harmonized and integrated regulatory framework that fosters innovation while ensuring high safety and sustainability standards.
As discussions concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to working together to advance road safety and mobility. CITA, EReg, CEDR, and CIECA remain dedicated to supporting EU institutions in developing effective policies that balance innovation with road safety imperatives.
With Europe at a crossroads in mobility transformation, collaboration remains the cornerstone for a future that is safe, sustainable, and technologically advanced.
Pinja combines IT expertise with deep domain knowledge to empower industries with tailored AI and SaaS solutions that drive excellence and sustainability.
For over 10 years, Pinja has helped vehicle inspection companies improve efficiency, strengthen client relationships, and maximize business success through the practical application of innovation.
The CITA RAG Europe Conference 2025, held on March 12 and 13 at the Maison des Associations Internationales (M.A.I.) in Brussels, gathered CITA members from across Europe and abroad to discuss the future of vehicle compliance, road safety, and environmental protection.
CITA President Gerhard Müller opened the event with a strong speech highlighting the vital role of vehicle inspection in achieving global environmental and safety goals. He acknowledged Europe’s current crises, from geopolitical instability to climate change — and warned against the misguided belief that deregulation boosts competitiveness. Instead, Müller emphasized that strong safety and emissions standards are essential for sustainable development and economic stability.
He called for aligning initiatives like Vision Zero, the Green Deal, and the Clean Industrial Deal, stressing that safety, emissions reduction, and decarbonization must go together. Müller reaffirmed CITA’s support for advanced inspection processes to address risks from digitalization, automation, and new powertrains. He also urged the European Commission to promptly publish the long-overdue revised Roadworthiness Package to ensure inspections keep pace with the evolving automotive sector.
After the welcome speech by CITA RAG Europe Chairman Mr. Jann Fehlauer, the first day of the conference focused on the activities and updates within Topic Area A (R&D Vehicle Compliance) and Topic Area B (Optimizing Current Vehicle Compliance). Experts led sessions on vehicle data access, ADAS testing, intelligent PTI integration, and critical regulatory updates. The discussions highlighted how rapidly evolving vehicle technologies are both a source of opportunity and a challenge for inspection authorities, requiring new tools, new skills, and closer cooperation with policymakers and industry partners.
A notable highlight of the first evening was the gathering at The Music Village, where delegates came together for the presentation of the new CITA Annual Report 2024. The convivial atmosphere provided an ideal setting to reflect on CITA’s achievements over the past year, and to engage in informal conversations that further strengthened the bonds within the CITA family.
The second day of the conference opened with an update on Topic Area C (External Affairs), where participants gained insights into how CITA is working with EU Member States to influence the Council’s position on roadworthiness policy. Discussions also covered CITA’s cooperation with IAMTS and the presentation of their new White Paper on Software Updates, an increasingly relevant issue as software-defined vehicles become more prevalent.
The environmental focus of Topic Area D brought participants into discussions on the NOx JRC-CITA Field Study, offering key findings and recommendations. The session on On-Board Monitoring (OBM) under Euro 7 standards demonstrated how continuous monitoring systems will change the emissions testing landscape, requiring vehicle inspection bodies to adapt and develop new competences. Further updates on particulate number (PN) testing for petrol engines and the activities of the Taskforce Emissions underscored the ongoing importance of emissions testing in improving urban air quality.
Finally, Topic Area E (Quality, Training & Confidence) provided valuable insights into the latest tools for automatic brake data evaluation, conformity assessment of calibration laboratories, and quality assurance best practices. The discussions concluded with a review of the progress made and a forward-looking outlook for the upcoming year.
The conference closed with remarks from CITA President Gerhard Müller, who emphasized that independent and impartial vehicle inspections remain indispensable for achieving goals on road safety, environmental protection, and industrial competitiveness.
With enriching discussions, networking opportunities, and a clear vision for the future, the CITA RAG Europe Conference 2025 reaffirmed the essential role of the PTI sector in safeguarding roads and air — a commitment that remains firmly embedded in CITA’s mission moving forward.
The 2024 CITA Annual Report has been published, highlighting a year of innovation, collaboration, and advocacy in vehicle safety and environmental protection.
The report covers key topics such as: • The role of periodic vehicle inspections in improving road safety and reducing emissions. • Updates on global regulatory frameworks, including the EU Roadworthiness Package and air quality standards. • Insights from regional conferences across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and North America. • Advances in vehicle compliance technology, including testing for electric vehicles, ADAS, and emissions monitoring. • CITA’s growing role in supporting low- and middle-income countries in building effective vehicle inspection programs.
With over 250 million independent vehicle inspections conducted annually by CITA members, the association continues to be the global voice for safe, sustainable transport.
As a global provider of innovative test and measurement instruments, software and systems, Rohde & Schwarz employs its technical expertise to advance the automotive industry’s vision of autonomous driving, electrification, and connectivity. OEMs, chip suppliers, tier1s and engineering service providers, as well as certification organizations around the world rely on the test solutions for radar, connectivity including antennas, infotainment, in-vehicle networks, electric drivetrain components and electromagnetic compatibility.
Rohde & Schwarz supports its customers over the entire automotive lifecycle from R&D to production and beyond.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
