CLIMATE CHANGE

On 29 January 2026, CITA organised a dedicated webinar entitled “Ukraine’s Roadworthiness Testing Reform and Opportunities for Cooperation”, in collaboration with the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.

The online event brought together CITA members and Ukrainian authorities to discuss the ongoing reform of Ukraine’s roadworthiness testing system, set against the broader context of Ukraine’s EU approximation process.

During the webinar, Mr. Serhiy Derkach - Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine - presented an overview of the current challenges and structural gaps in Ukraine’s mandatory vehicle inspection framework. These include issues related to system governance, consistency of inspection practices, supervision mechanisms, and the need for stronger safeguards to ensure integrity and public trust.

Mr. Derkach outlined Ukraine’s roadmap for reform, with a clear focus on alignment with the EU acquis, notably Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers. The reform aims to establish a modern, transparent and reliable inspection system that enhances road safety, supports environmental objectives, and reflects EU best practices.

A central part of the discussion focused on specific areas where the expertise of CITA members could bring added value to the reform process. These included:

• Authorisation and supervision of testing centres, including governance and oversight models;
• Legal status, training and certification of inspectors, with an emphasis on competence, independence and accountability;
• Digital solutions, such as secure recording of test results, use of photo and video evidence, and structured data exchange;
• Supervision, enforcement and integrity models, aimed at preventing fraud and strengthening confidence in the system.

The Deputy Minister expressed strong interest in learning from practical experience and proven solutions already implemented in other European countries, particularly regarding system design, digitalisation and integrity safeguards.

The webinar also provided a valuable platform for dialogue between Ukrainian authorities and CITA members. From CITA’s perspective, the session highlighted potential opportunities for cooperation in the medium term, as Ukraine undertakes a major structural transformation of its vehicle inspection framework within a strategically important market.

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The 2025 CITA Regional Advisory Group (RAG) Asia/Australasia Web Conference took place on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, gathering members from across the region for a focused, content-rich session dedicated to improving vehicle inspection systems and strengthening road safety. Held virtually via Zoom, this members-only event explored the year’s theme: “AA’s efforts for better Vehicle Inspection for a Safer and Cleaner Tomorrow.”

The conference brought together leading experts, regulators, and technology providers who shared the latest developments in inspection practices, innovations in ADAS and EV testing, and evolving challenges in ensuring life-cycle compliance of vehicles worldwide.

Moderated by Mr. TaeGyun Ki (KOTSA) and Mr. Eduard Fernández (CITA), the event opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Hosang Lee (KOTSA) and CITA President Mr. Gerhard Müller, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation and continuous knowledge exchange to support high-performing and future-oriented PTI systems.

The first presentation offered an in-depth overview of South Korea’s ongoing work to modernize electric vehicle inspections. Mr. Hyunjun Kim presented results from field validation tests conducted at KOTSA’s Busan Haeundae inspection station, where newly developed metrological EV inspection tools—such as automated charging inlet insulation testers, AVAS measurement equipment, and dynamic EV battery load test devices—were deployed and assessed.

These tools aim to transition EV inspections from basic visual and diagnostic checks toward quantitative, performance-based verification, improving accuracy and safety. The presentation also highlighted test data from a fleet of high-mileage electric light trucks and demonstrated how standardized equipment could support reliable life-cycle EV compliance.

Dr. Samer Galal provided a comprehensive analysis of the growing influence of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on road safety, focusing on the need for PTI systems to adapt accordingly. He emphasized that as ADAS becomes mandatory in new vehicles across many regions, PTI must evolve to ensure continued system functionality throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

Mr. Olivier Pletinckx presented the latest developments from the CITA Task Force on ADAS, including its ongoing work to evaluate inspection concepts—both static and dynamic—for future PTI processes. The TF continues its work into 2026 as it refines inspection requirements, evaluates technical solutions, and prepares guidance for global stakeholders.

KOTSA introduced the KADAS (Korea Automated Driving Assessment System) project, an innovative initiative to assess the functional performance of ADAS and autonomous driving features using a controlled, scenario-based testing platform. Mr. Changwhan Choi presented experimental results involving several vehicle brands and sensor configurations, demonstrating how KADAS can identify system performance issues and contribute to safer automated driving deployment.

The final presentation addressed emissions testing, focusing on Germany’s experience with large-scale deployment of particle number (PN) measurement equipment. Mr. Peter Schwanzer, Scale MT in his presentation highlighted how robust PN testing can significantly improve air quality by identifying vehicles with malfunctioning particulate filters.

The conference concluded with a Q&A session, followed by closing remarks from Mr. Hosang Lee and CITA President Mr. Gerhard Müller, who thanked all participants for their active engagement and commitment to strengthening vehicle inspection across the Asia/Australasia region.

The discussions reaffirmed the need for continuous innovation, harmonization of testing strategies, and strong partnerships—key drivers in achieving safer roads and reducing environmental impacts across the region.

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CITA actively contributed to the 2025 ASEAN + China Road Safety Capacity Building Workshop, held from 25 to 27 November in Shenzhen, China. Co-hosted by WHO, UNECE, CITA, Global NCAP, CATARC, and MIROS, the workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN Member States and China to enhance road safety by aligning vehicle safety legislation, inspection systems, and regulatory practices with international standards.

Over three days, participants explored priority vehicle safety regulations, PTI implementation models, NCAP developments, and the impact of emerging technologies on national safety frameworks. The program combined high-level presentations, panel discussions, technical exchanges, and group breakout sessions designed to support the adoption and implementation of UN vehicle safety regulations across the region.

CITA was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Eduard Fernández, who played a central role in several sessions across the workshop.

The first day covered priority vehicle safety regulations in the morning, followed by a full afternoon module dedicated to PTI. Mr. Fernández delivered two key contributions:

• “The Challenges of Vehicle Inspection”, outlining the technical, institutional, and operational constraints faced by countries developing or reforming PTI systems.
• “PTI Governance”, emphasizing the importance of transparent governance models, oversight mechanisms, and regulatory alignment with international best practice.

He also served as:

• Moderator of the PTI breakout session, focusing on PTI for Electric Vehicles, including differences compared to traditional vehicles and considerations for battery state-of-health evaluation.
• Moderator of the report-back session, ensuring a clear synthesis of national perspectives on EV-specific PTI requirements, PTI governance options, and regulatory harmonization challenges.

These contributions reinforced CITA’s longstanding leadership in advancing inspection quality, safety outcomes, and evidence-based PTI policy across diverse implementation contexts.

On the third day, discussions centered on crash-avoidance technologies, connected vehicle capabilities, ADAS performance, and regulatory progress.

Mr. Fernández played a prominent role by:

• Moderating Panel 3 on ADAS Levels 1 and 2, which examined human–machine interfaces, reliability considerations, and the need for robust regulatory and testing frameworks. Panelists included experts from CATARC, WHO, and Indonesia.
• Moderating Breakout Group 1, which explored how conformity testing can evolve to incorporate modern safety technologies—an essential step for ensuring that new ADAS, ESC, AEBS, and automated driving systems are properly validated throughout their lifecycle.

With strong engagement from ASEAN Member States, China, UNECE, WHO, CITA, CATARC, Global NCAP, and MIROS, the workshop concluded with clear action items to accelerate the harmonization of vehicle safety regulations, strengthen PTI systems, and integrate new technologies into national road safety strategies.

CITA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting countries in these efforts and will continue collaborating with international and national partners to promote safer vehicles, safer roads, and robust inspection systems worldwide.

11–12 November 2025, Radeberg (Germany). The CITA ADAS Task Force convened for a two-day in-person meeting hosted by FSD Fahrzeugsystemdaten GmbH at their headquarters in Radeberg.

With representatives from Europe and abroad, the meeting focused on deepening the technical discussion on how Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be effectively assessed within PTI, and on sharing the latest innovations, insights, and test concepts currently emerging across the sector.

The agenda was structured over two intensive days, combining strategic presentations, technical demonstrations, and open exchanges between the participating CITA members.

The first day opened with a welcome session and a brief introduction to the objectives of the CITA ADAS Task Force, followed by a sequence of contributions outlining the growing need for PTI-relevant ADAS assessment methods.

Key Highlights:

• TRL – Collaborative Project on ADAS in PTI / TRL introduced a new collaborative initiative examining whether — and how — ADAS functions should be included in PTI. The project aims to evaluate practical, reliable, and safety-oriented methods for integration into inspection procedures, ensuring regulatory preparedness as ADAS penetration increases.
• MUSTANG – New ADAS Testing Solution Concept / The MUSTANG team presented an innovative ADAS testing solution concept, designed to simplify real-world function evaluation through a structured, modular approach. The concept sparked significant discussion on technical feasibility and PTI integration.
• FSD + DEKRA – Joint Presentation on Dynamic Target Evaluation & Sensor Misalignment / FSD and DEKRA provided a combined update on their ongoing research into dynamic target testing. Initial results on sensor misalignment assessment highlighted both the complexity of the topic and the potential for robust PTI-compatible methodologies.
• KÜS – Updates on the KÜS Drive Concept / KÜS shared recent developments in the KÜS Drive platform, focusing on new capabilities relevant to ADAS function verification. Improvements in efficiency and reproducibility drew positive feedback from participants.
• MAHA – Vehicle-in-the-Loop (VIL) ADAS Testing / MAHA presented the latest updates to its Vehicle-in-the-Loop concept, which enables ADAS function testing in a controlled but realistic environment. The approach generated interest due to its potential compatibility with existing PTI infrastructure.

The first day concluded with an open technical exchange, allowing participants to compare methodologies, identify common needs, and explore opportunities for joint development.

The second day built on the previous discussions, shifting focus toward concrete testing solutions, practical demonstrations, and the global landscape of ADAS assessment.

Key Highlights:

• Rohde & Schwarz – R&S®RadEsT Radar Essential Tester & Demo / Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated their Radar Essential Tester, providing participants with a hands-on demonstration of target simulation and measurement functions. The session gave valuable insight into emerging radar testing technologies.
• ÖAMTC – Analysis of ADAS Malfunction Impacts / ÖAMTC shared findings on the safety impact of malfunctions in key ADAS systems, reinforcing the need for periodic verification of critical functionalities to maintain road safety and driver trust.
• KOTSA – Korea’s KADAS Assessment System / Representatives from KOTSA introduced the Korea Automated Driving Vehicle Assessment System (KADAS), providing concrete examples of national-level ADAS performance evaluation and sharing promising results and lessons learned.
• DÜRR – Updates on x-proof 360 and PTI Applications / DÜRR presented the evolution of the x-proof 360 technology and its potential application in PTI contexts, highlighting precision, repeatability, and the expanding capability of automated inspection tools.
• GTÜ – Concept Presentation & Live Demo / GTÜ outlined its ADAS testing concept and performed a live demonstration, delivering a practical perspective on how inspection stations might integrate ADAS checks in the future.
• DEKRA – Targeted and Efficient ADAS/AD Testing in PTI / DEKRA closed the technical sessions with a proposal for a structured and efficient approach to verifying ADAS and Automated Driving (AD) functions during PTI. The concept emphasized risk-based prioritisation and the use of objective, repeatable test methods.

The meeting in Radeberg reaffirmed the commitment of CITA and its members to prepare for the safe integration of ADAS into PTI frameworks worldwide. With vehicle technologies evolving rapidly, the Task Force continues to play a central role in ensuring that inspection procedures remain relevant, effective, and aligned with real-world safety needs.

CITA extends its sincere thanks to FSD for hosting the event, to all participant organizations for their valuable contributions, and to the Task Force members for their ongoing dedication.

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Brussels, 13 November 2025 — CITA, in collaboration with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, successfully held the conference “A Comprehensive Approach to Fighting Emissions Tampering” at SPARKS, Brussels. The event brought together representatives from European institutions, authorities, inspection bodies, and technical experts to address one of today’s most critical challenges in vehicle compliance and environmental protection: emissions tampering.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Gerhard Müller, President of CITA, and Stefan Jøker Søsted, Director General of the Danish Road Traffic Authority.

In his address, Gerhard Müller underscored the moral and regulatory urgency of addressing tampering: “Tampering is not a mechanical glitch—it is a human decision that undermines fairness, safety, and environmental responsibility,” he stated. “Our inspectors cannot fight blindfolded. They must have full, secure, and standardized access to vehicle data to carry out their duty in the public interest.”

He praised Denmark’s leadership in the field and highlighted the need for Europe’s revised roadworthiness framework to empower authorities through data access, transparency, and harmonized technical standards.

Stefan Søsted extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Danish Presidency, thanking CITA for its initiative and partnership. He emphasized that cooperation and innovation are essential to achieving Europe’s green and competitive goals: “By joining forces, we are sending a clear message — that transparency, accountability, and innovation must lead the way,” Søsted noted.

He introduced Denmark’s key priorities under its Presidency — promoting a secure, competitive, and green Europe — and presented the Roadworthiness Package as a major step toward improving road safety and environmental compliance. Søsted also showcased Denmark’s pioneering use of plume chasing and OBD-based roadside inspections, illustrating how targeted enforcement and advanced technology can effectively detect tampering.

Following the opening session, the conference featured a series of high-level technical presentations highlighting practical enforcement tools and new regulatory approaches:

• Signe Shim and Jens Maegaard from the Danish Road Traffic Authority shared Denmark’s anti-tampering initiatives, including plume chasing, particle number measurements, and OBD data analysis. Their findings confirmed that tampered or defective vehicles can emit up to 40 times more NOx or particulates than compliant ones, demonstrating the efficiency of these inspection methods in real-world enforcement.
• Herbert Woopen from Opus Inspection presented the company’s advanced remote sensing technology, now recognized as a cornerstone of the proposed EU Roadworthiness Package. He detailed how remote sensing devices can identify high emitters in real time, supporting cross-border enforcement and efficient resource allocation across the EU.
• Víctor Salvachúa from Applus+ showcased Spain’s experience in periodic technical inspection (PTI) of mopeds, demonstrating how coordinated testing for light vehicles contributes to the detection of tampering and improved air quality.
• Alejandro Checa, CITA Technical Director, concluded the technical segment with a comprehensive overview of tampering across vehicle systems and regulatory frameworks. He underlined that tampering detection depends on inspection capability, training, and cooperation between authorities, manufacturers, and inspectors, and that the integration of Type Approval, In-Service Conformity, PTI, and COP processes is crucial for effective enforcement.

An engaging panel discussion followed, allowing participants to exchange best practices and explore synergies between national and EU-level approaches. Speakers and attendees alike agreed on the necessity of a coordinated, data-driven strategy that bridges the gap between legislation, enforcement, and inspection.

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Stone Town, Zanzibar – 4–5 November 2025. The CITA Regional Conference for Africa, themed “Time for Action – Because Africa Deserves Safe and Clean Vehicles,” successfully gathered a wide range of key stakeholders from across the continent and beyond. Held at the Golden Tulip Stone Town Boutique Hotel, the event provided a dynamic platform for dialogue, cooperation, and the exchange of expertise in the field of vehicle regulatory compliance, inspection, and road safety.

Over two days, representatives from governmental authorities, technical services, international organizations, academia, and the private sector came together to discuss the future of vehicle safety and environmental protection in Africa. The conference highlighted the urgent need for harmonized and effective vehicle regulatory schemes, addressing topics such as importation of used vehicles, vehicle inspection systems, homologation procedures, and operational best practices adapted to African realities.

The event was opened by CITA leaders, together with high-level representatives of regional authorities and international institutions. Their addresses emphasized that ensuring the circulation of safe and clean vehicles is not only a technical or economic issue, but also a social imperative for the well-being of African citizens and the sustainability of the environment.

Day 1 focused on strategic and thematic discussions. Participants heard high-level contributions from international organizations, followed by academic insights and practical experiences from African countries already implementing vehicle inspection and registration programs. The importation of used vehicles – a critical issue for the region – received particular attention, with lessons drawn from other parts of the world and successful case studies presented by African experts.
The day concluded with an evening networking dinner, allowing participants to strengthen regional ties and foster future cooperation.

Day 2 was dedicated to practical and operational aspects. In the morning workshop, experts jointly identified the key elements needed to develop effective vehicle regulatory frameworks in Africa, emphasizing the importance of institutional capacity, data management, and transparent governance.
In the afternoon, participants took part in a technical visit to the KWASILVA vehicle inspection site in Zanzibar, where they observed firsthand the operational practices and technologies used locally, and discussed how similar solutions could be adapted elsewhere on the continent.

The conference reaffirmed CITA’s commitment to supporting African countries in developing comprehensive systems for vehicle type approval, inspection, and registration that are efficient, transparent, and aligned with international standards. As one of the key takeaways, participants called for enhanced regional collaboration, sharing of technical expertise, and capacity building initiatives to ensure that Africa can move decisively towards a safer and cleaner vehicle fleet.

On 6 November. CITA President Gerhard Müller and Chair of RAG Africa, Ferose Oaten, had the honor of accepting an invitation from the President of Zanzibar following the CITA RAG Africa Conference held in Stone Town, Zanzibar. President Hussein Mwinyi expressed great interest in hearing their impressions of the ongoing PTI initiatives on the island. The CITA representatives commended the strong political commitment demonstrated in establishing periodic vehicle testing and praised the new Kwasilva Testing Station—an impressive facility that could serve as a model for the rest of Africa.

The success of the 2025 African Regional Conference in Zanzibar underlines that the time for action is now – because Africa truly deserves safe and clean vehicles.

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