19May19 May, 2025

CITA 24th GA : New Members and Leadership Renewed

On 6 May 2025, within the prestigious framework of the CITA International Conference hosted by TÜV TÜRK, the 24th General Assembly of CITA took place in Istanbul. The event marked an important milestone in the association's continued mission to improve road safety and environmental protection through vehicle compliance.

New Members Join the CITA Community
A highlight of the Assembly was the formal admission of new CITA members, reflecting the organization's expanding global reach and influence. The following organizations were officially welcomed into the CITA family (listed in alphabetical order):

AUTOTEST GROUP EODD
AVILOO
CAPATEST
CONTROLAUTO
DKT
EMIRATES GENERAL TRANSPORT AND SERVICE COMPANY
Færdselsstyrelsen
KNESTEL
INSTITUTO DA MOBILIDADE E DOS TRANSPORTES
MASVIK
PINJA
ROHDE AND SCHWARZ
SCALE MT
VTEQ ( upgraded membership category in Full Corporate Member)
ZEMIC

Changes in the CITA Bureau Permanent
Significant updates were made to the CITA Bureau Permanent (BP), the executive body of the organization. Two new members were elected:

Mr. Marian Rybiansky, Managing Director and Chairman of the Board of TESTEK a.s., and Chairman of the CITA Task Force on Brakes
Mr. Jungsoo Park, Deputy General Manager at the Korea Transportation Safety Authority

Additionally, Mr. Marcin Barankiewicz was elected by the corporate members as the new Corporate Member Representative in the CITA Bureau Permanent. Mr. George Petelet was reconfirmed as the Corporate Member Deputy Representative.

The Assembly also marked a leadership transition, as Mr. Lothar Geilen, a valued CITA Board member since 2013 and Vice President Treasurer since 2017, stepped down due to retirement. CITA expressed its deep gratitude for his years of dedicated service.

Taking up the role of CITA Vice President Treasurer is Mrs. Ferose Oaten, reaffirming her commitment and leadership within the organization.

Composition of the New CITA Bureau Permanent
The new composition of the CITA Bureau Permanent following the 24th General Assembly is as follows:

Gerhard Müller – CITA President
Aitor Retes – CITA Vice President General Secretary
Ferose Oaten – CITA Vice President Treasurer (re-elected)
Pascal Buekenhoudt – CITA Vice President Technical Affairs (re-elected)
Geert Konings
Christoph Nolte (re-elected)
Jungsoo Park
Marian Rybiansky
Jorge Soriano (re-elected)
Teemu Toivanen – Public Member Representative

CITA Activity Reports Presented
During the General Assembly, members also had the opportunity to review and discuss several reports highlighting CITA’s recent activities, strategic initiatives, and technical developments. These presentations, made by leaders of CITA RAGs and Topic Areas, underscored the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across the vehicle compliance and road safety sectors.

The Assembly reaffirmed CITA’s role as a leading voice in the vehicle compliance sector, with renewed leadership and a growing, diverse membership ready to tackle global mobility challenges.

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14May14 May, 2025

CITA Conference 2025: Forging Global Alliances in Istanbul

From May 6–8, 2025, Istanbul welcomed delegates from around the world for the CITA International Conference, hosted with exceptional professionalism and warmth by TÜV TÜRK. This year’s theme, “Forging Global Alliances for Safer Roads and a Greener Future,” framed three days of insightful dialogue, global cooperation, and technical exchange at a pivotal time for the roadworthiness and vehicle compliance community.

The event commenced with the 24th CITA General Assembly, held on May 6, where CITA President Gerhard Müller opened the proceedings by warmly welcoming CITA members and global delegates.

He highlighted the critical need for continued action toward road safety and vehicle environmental compliance, especially as the world approaches the mid-term mark of the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030. In his words, “We must continue to emphasize the role of vehicle compliance to make our roads safer and cleaner”.

A focused article on the Assembly will follow.

The opening of the international conference on May 7 featured a high-level Plenary Session 1 with welcoming addresses by:

Gerhard Müller, CITA President
Kemal Ören, CEO of TÜV TÜRK
Patrick Fruth, CEO of TÜV SÜD Division Mobility
Murat Baştor, General Manager, Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure

Their collective messages emphasized international collaboration, regulatory consistency, and the role of innovation in transforming mobility for safety and sustainability.

President Müller extended heartfelt thanks to the host TÜV TÜRK, particularly COO Koray Özcan, whose contributions were instrumental. Gratitude was also extended to the sponsors: Diamond sponsor COSBER, Silver sponsors MAHA and DEKRA, and event supporters VTEQ and Midtronics.

Following the opening plenary, Plenary Sessions 2 and 3 explored the Turkish PTI success story and featured impactful keynote speeches.

Experts such as Peter Szatmari (EU Commission DG MOVE), Richard Damm (KBA), Walter Nissler (BMK), and Spiros Voyadzis (PFD) discussed the evolving legislative landscape, technology’s role in inspections, and international cooperation on used vehicles.

Plenary Session 4, held on the afternoon of May 7, focused on the theme "How PTI is Perceived?" and was structured as a dynamic panel discussion. The session, framed by Eduard Fernández - CITA Executive Director, saw Mervyn Edwards (TRL) presenting the relationship between vehicle defects identified in periodic inspections and those found in collision analyses. Session's panelists included Guillermo Magaz (AECA-ITV), Richard Goebelt (TÜV-Verband), and Mervyn Edwards (TRL), who provided a range of perspectives on public perception, data reliability, and regulatory approaches.

Throughout the conference, attendees also engaged in focused split sessions on:

Vehicle compliance in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) - Leaded by: Ferose Oaten, AVTS
New technologies and data management - Leaded by: Fred Blüthner, FSD
Environmental protection - Leaded by: Thomas Ost, DEKRA
Inspection procedures and methods - Leaded by: Olivier Pletinckx, CITA
Electric powertrains - Leaded by: Víctor Salvachúa, APPLUS ITEUVE
Decarbonization - Leaded by: Eduard Fernández, CITA
Vehicle approval - Leaded by: Alejandro Checa, CITA

These sessions facilitated cross-border learning and highlighted CITA’s vital role as a global platform for advancing vehicle inspection standards.

On the final day, Plenary Session 5 brought the conference to a close with a summary of the key outcomes from all technical split sessions. This comprehensive wrap-up, followed by closing remarks from President Gerhard Müller, who praised the collaborative spirit and reaffirmed CITA’s commitment to independent, fair, and modern vehicle inspections.

He noted, “We are not only a fraction of the solution, but more than that, we are a precondition” for safer roads and cleaner air.

He once again extended sincere appreciation to TÜV TÜRK, the event sponsors, the speakers, and the CITA office team, recognizing their indispensable role in the success of the event.

As CITA continues to expand its impact, the 2025 Conference in Istanbul stood as a powerful reminder of the importance of international cooperation, innovation, and commitment in creating safer and more sustainable transport systems worldwide.

We thank all who joined us in Istanbul and look forward to our continued work together.

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13Jun13 June, 2024

Training Courses Highlight the Future of EVs in Africa

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) organized a comprehensive series of training courses aimed at fostering the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology and maintenance skills across Africa. This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable development, industrial growth, and environmental protection on the continent.

The training courses, spanning from June 4th to June 14th, covered a wide range of topics essential for the advancement of EV technology and energy storage systems (EST) in Africa. These sessions were designed to equip African governments, private sector companies, and young entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in the global EV and EST value chain.

Among the key events was the training session held on June 13th, which featured the contributions from CITA: Entitled "Electric Vehicle Maintenance", the session was conducted by the presentations from Mr. Víctor Salvachúa and Mr. Eduard Fernández, drawing significant attention from various stakeholders involved in the EV industry.

Mr. Salvachúa, leader of the CITA Task Force on Electric Vehicles and head of CITA's Topic Area A, delivered a technical presentation that delved into the realities and challenges of managing electric vehicles from a practical, real-world perspective. His insights were crucial in highlighting the operational hurdles and maintenance issues faced by EVs, providing participants with a thorough understanding of the technical aspects that must be addressed to ensure the efficient functioning and longevity of these vehicles.

Complementing the technical insights, Mr. Fernández, the Executive Director of CITA, offered an institutional presentation. He emphasized the role of CITA in advancing global standards and best practices in vehicle inspection and maintenance, thereby supporting the region's transition towards cleaner and more efficient transportation solutions.

07Jun7 June, 2024

Enhancing Mongolia’s Traffic Safety: A Strategic Initiative

In early June, Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, hosted a significant seminar organized by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (KoTSA). The seminar focused on the theme of "The Role of Inspection for the Safety of Vehicles in Developing Countries and Measures to Improve the Import and Export Environment." This event was part of the broader Mongolia Transport Safety Improvement Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing road safety and environmental health in Mongolia.

The seminar gathered several notable figures in the transportation safety sector:

Mrs. Munkhnasan, Director of the Mongolian Road Transport Development Department, along with her team.
Mr. Eduard Fernandez, Executive Director of CITA.
Mr. Kaneyoshi Ikeda, President and Managing Director of JEVIC.
Mr. Visar Cekici, Head of Vehicle Registration of the Albanian General Directorate of Road Transport Services.

The seminar aimed to highlight the importance and necessity of vehicle inspections, emphasizing their role in improving road safety and air quality. Through its project in Mongolia, KoTSA sought to secure the government's implementation capability for enhancing the import and export environment, and to discuss potential cooperation with neighboring countries.

Eduard Fernández's participation was particularly significant, given CITA's extensive experience and knowledge from previous projects in Africa. His visit underscored the importance of discussing more cases and current activities in WP.29, aiming to attract the Mongolian government's interest and contribute to the project's success.

During his stay, Mr. Fernandez also met with members of the National Road Transport Center and visited several PTI centers, providing valuable insights into the ongoing efforts and future plans.

About the Project
The Mongolia Transport Safety Improvement Project, launched in August 2023, is an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing vehicle inspection facilities and capacity building within Mongolia. The project is a collaborative effort involving several key partners:

Ordering Agency: Korean International Cooperation Agency (KoICA)
Mongolian Partners: Ministry of Road and Transport Development (MRTD) and Mongolia Road Transport Center (NRTC)
Project Partners: Korean Transportation Safety Authorities (KoTSA), the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), and the Korean Road Traffic Authority (KOROAD

The primary goals of the project are to enhance traffic safety and improve air quality in Ulaanbaatar. By strengthening vehicle inspection capacity and modernizing inspection facilities, the project aims to significantly reduce traffic accidents. Additionally, the project includes national policy consulting on vehicle emission gases to address air pollution in the capital city.

Looking forward, the project plans to continue its policy consulting and modernization efforts, ensuring the establishment of a comprehensive vehicle inspection management system. Ongoing capacity building through continuous training programs remains a cornerstone of this initiative.

MORE INFO ABOUT THE PROJECT

03Jun3 June, 2024

Seminar on Mandatory PTI by ANASEVI

The National Alliance for Road Safety in Mexico (ANASEVI) organized the third session of its "ANASEVI Dialogues 2024" seminar series, focusing on the implementation of mandatory PTI. This webinar took place on May 30 and served as a crucial platform to discuss road safety, accident prevention, and the environmental impact of vehicles in Mexico.

Entitled "Inspección Técnica Vehicular. Estándares en México," the seminar aimed to address the challenges and benefits of implementing mandatory PTI in Mexico. The primary objective was to improve road safety, prevent traffic accidents caused by mechanical failures, promote a culture of vehicle maintenance, and reduce the environmental impact of vehicles. Participants discussed key aspects such as necessary equipment, professional training, inspection protocols, and mechanisms to ensure the quality and transparency of inspections.

The event featured prominent experts in the field. Roy Rojas Vargas, an international consultant from COSEVI (Costa Rica), spoke on "PTI Experiences in LATAM: Proposals for Implementation in Mexico."

Mr. Eduard Fernández, CITA Executive Director, delivered a presentation on "PTI Experiences: Recommendations for Implementation in Mexico." His presentation provided valuable input from worldwide experiences, highlighting best practices and successful strategies from various countries. As the Executive Director of CITA, he shared comprehensive insights based on global experiences with PTI.

Luis Arturo Salinas Carreón, Operational Director of IATSA, discussed the "Challenges of Implementing PTI from the Service Provider's Perspective." The session was moderated by Salvador Saavedra, founding partner of ANASEVI and President of the Automotive Industry Committee at CANACINTRA (Mexico).

The "ANASEVI Dialogues 2024" series offered a unique opportunity for stakeholders interested in sustainable mobility and road safety to engage and contribute to creating a safer and more sustainable environment on Mexican roads.

ANASEVI WEBSITE

31May31 May, 2024

Mobility in Slovakia Conference

On May 30, 2024, the "Mobility in Slovakia" conference brought together key stakeholders in the field of vehicle testing, approval, and inspection. This significant event, organized by TÜV SÜD in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport of the Slovak Republic, featured active participation from CITA, as well as representatives from Homola, TESTEK, S-EKA, and IRIS-IDENT.

The conference aimed to address the challenges and advancements in vehicle inspection and approval processes, attracting the attention of professionals and organizations deeply involved in this critical field.

CITA President Mr. Gerhard Müller delivered a compelling keynote, emphasizing the importance of vehicle inspection in achieving the ambitious goals of Vision Zero and the European Green Deal. Mr. Müller highlighted how these EU strategies will influence future trends in the automotive industry, stressing that rigorous vehicle inspections are essential to ensuring safety and environmental sustainability.

CITA's active participation extended beyond the keynote, with a detailed presentation by Mr. Eduard Fernández - CITA Executive Director, who discussed the evolving landscape of vehicle inspections and the regulatory changes on the horizon.

The conference agenda included a series of insightful lectures covering a wide range of pertinent topics. Experts discussed cybersecurity in the automotive sector, a critical area as vehicles become increasingly connected and digitalized. The upcoming changes to the Directive on technical inspection of vehicles and the EURO 7 emission standard were also thoroughly examined, providing attendees with valuable insights into future regulatory requirements.

The "Mobility in Slovakia" conference underscored the critical role of PTI in achieving safer roads and a cleaner environment. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, such events are essential for fostering collaboration and innovation to meet the challenges of the future.

More info here

27Sep27 September, 2023

Vehicle Inspection and Society: Beyond Technology.

Yesterday in Brussels, a significant gathering of PTI experts, governmental officials, and industry stakeholders convened for a hybrid-conference entitled “Vehicle Inspection and Society: Beyond Technology.”

Jointly hosted by CITA and the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, this event explored the multifaceted dimensions of vehicle inspection, pushing beyond just the technological considerations to unravel its societal and environmental significance. In fact, this collaboration demonstrated the growing importance of vehicle inspections, not only in terms of technological advancements but also its broader implications for society.

Key players from various facets of the industry graced the event, including Mr. Gerhard MÜLLER, the CITA President, and María José MUÑOZ MARTÍNEZ, the Director General for Industry and SME Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism from Spain.

The event was a success thanks also to the active participation of Guillermo MAGAZ PILAR, Managing Director of AECA-ITV; Sergio OLIETE JOSA, Head of Unit, Transport & Urban Development from DG INTPA - EU Commission; Ricardo SUÁREZ BERTOA, Scientific Officer at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) - EU Commission; Victor SALVACHÚA BARCELÓ, Vice President - New Technologies Development from APPLUS+; Macarena FERNÁNDEZ RIVERA, Technical and Operational Director from VEIASA; and Eugenio FERNÁNDEZ CÁCERES, Inspection Site Manager from ITEVELESA.

Key takeaways from the Conference were safety, environmental responsibility, economic implications, and global standards. The primary objective remains the safety of citizens. As vehicles continue to integrate cutting-edge technologies, the process of vehicle inspection has become ever more complex. Efficient vehicle inspection ensures fewer road mishaps, and plays a pivotal role in environmental conservation, ensuring vehicles emit within permissible limits. With a growing need for harmonized vehicle inspection standards across countries to facilitate international transportation, a well-structured inspection mechanism indirectly boosts the economy by ensuring efficient vehicle operations.

The “Vehicle Inspection and Society: Beyond Technology” conference reiterated the importance of seeing vehicle inspections not as an isolated technical procedure but as a process deeply ingrained in societal, economic, and environmental matrices.

The joint effort by CITA and the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU marks a commendable step towards a holistic approach to vehicle inspections, emphasizing its ripple effects across various sectors of society. The Brussels conference not only enriched the discourse around vehicle inspection and its societal ramifications but also paved the way for global collaborations. By sharing knowledge, research, and best practices, stakeholders can drive forward an agenda that prioritizes road safety and environmental health, all while leveraging cutting-edge technology.

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