A delegation of experts in vehicle inspection and driving licence testing from the regional government of Lower Austria visited TÜV SÜD in Munich on 23–24 May for a two-day exchange of experiences.
The visit aimed to explore differing national approaches within the framework of harmonised European guidelines. In the field of driving licence testing, discussions focused on test procedures, quality assurance, and the supervision of driving schools. Regarding vehicle inspections, the delegation examined practices related to conducting PTI and the assessment of vehicle modifications.
The exchange provided valuable insights into both systems, enabling participants to learn from each other’s approaches while also fostering stronger professional relationships.
The delegation was led by Georg Höning, Head of Technical Vehicle Affairs for Lower Austria, and Linda-Maria Wallner, Head of Driving Licence Tests, Driving Schools and Driving Licence Law. The meeting was hosted by Philip Puls, Head of Regulatory Business at TÜV SÜD Mobility, and Jochen Krebs, Head of Driver Licence Testing at TÜV SÜD Mobility. Gerhard Müller, President of CITA, welcomed the Lower Austrian delegation during their visit.
Yesterday, CITA had the privilege of being in the French Ministry of Ecological Transition in Paris, as Secretariat of the Informal Working Group on Electric Vehicles (EV) and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) Retrofit Systems under UNECE WP.29 for its 8th session.
The discussions focused on advancing a harmonized regulatory framework for the safe and reliable retrofitting of used vehicles with electric and hydrogen powertrains. This work is essential to support the transition to cleaner mobility while ensuring that safety, inspection, and compliance requirements remain robust throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
CITA is proud to contribute to shaping practical and enforceable solutions that will enable sustainable vehicle conversion approval while maintaining roadworthiness and trust in the fleet.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications of Peru (MTC)has taken a significant step towards enhancing its vehicle inspection system by engaging in an exchange of international expertise with CITA. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving road safety, environmental performance, and the overall efficiency of transport systems.
On 9 April 2026, the MTC convened a technical working meeting bringing together specialists in road safety, transport policy, and service management. The session included participation from key national bodies such as the Directorate General for Transport Authorisations, the Directorate for Road Transport Policies and Standards, and the Superintendence of Land Transport of People, Cargo and Goods (SUTRAN), highlighting the country’s integrated and multi-institutional approach to transport governance.
The meeting featured an exchange with Marcelo Martínez, CITA’s representative for Latin America, who shared international best practices and insights on vehicle inspection systems. Discussions focused on the current state of Peru’s technical vehicle inspection framework and identified key challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Participants agreed on several priority areas for strengthening the system. These include updating the regulatory framework, enhancing institutional governance, streamlining operational processes, and reinforcing enforcement and oversight mechanisms. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of adopting international standards to mitigate road safety risks, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve traffic efficiency in urban areas.
The dialogue provided valuable technical input and global perspectives that will support the ongoing evaluation and modernization of Peru’s vehicle inspection system. It also opened the door to potential technical cooperation initiatives between the MTC and CITA, aimed at building a more robust, transparent, and effective inspection regime.
This initiative aligns with the MTC’s broader objective of promoting a safer, more orderly, and sustainable transport system for the benefit of all citizens. Through continued international collaboration, Peru reinforces its commitment to aligning national practices with global standards and advancing road safety outcomes.
The international inspection community is entering a new phase with the publication of the revised ISO 17020. The updated standard brings significant changes that reflect technological evolution, strengthen governance requirements, and introduce greater flexibility in operational practices. The revised standard updates core terminology to better reflect today’s inspection environment. The definition of inspection now explicitly combines measurement activities with professional judgment, reinforcing the expertise required in modern inspection processes. New terms such as “client” and “item” are also introduced, providing clearer alignment with real-world operational relationships.
A key structural change is the clear distinction between impartiality and independence:
Impartiality is now a universal requirement for all inspection bodies
Independence is categorized into Type A and Type Non-A
In addition, organizations must now conduct risk analysis related to liabilities, and implement structured systems for personnel competence management. The updated ISO 17020 reflects the digital transformation of the sector. It introduces requirements for the use of:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Augmented Reality (AR)
Remote inspection technologies
Organizations must ensure that all software tools are fit for purpose and that data integrity is fully safeguarded.
The concept of subcontracting has been broadened into “externally provided products and services.” This now includes:
Equipment and calibration services
IT systems and digital platforms
Any external support impacting inspection activities
This change acknowledges the increasingly interconnected nature of inspection operations.
The management system requirements have been modernized to align with current best practices:
Mandatory integration of risks and opportunities into planning
Stronger emphasis on continuous improvement
Removal of the fixed 12-month cycle for internal audits and management reviews
Organizations can now define audit frequency based on their own risk profile and operational needs, enabling more agile and efficient governance.
The revised ISO 17020 represents a major evolution for inspection bodies globally. At the same time, it reinforces trust, competence, and impartiality—the core pillars of inspection activities.
These changes will be further processed and addressed within the new CITA TF Accreditation, where detailed analysis and implementation approaches will be developed. CITA members will be informed in due course about the progress.
25 March 2026 / Abidjan, Ivory Coast | CITA once again contributed to the Diplôme Universitaire Sécurité Routière pour l’Afrique (DUSRA), a road safety diploma programme led by the Université Gustave Eiffel and developed in partnership with CITA. The initiative aims to strengthen road safety expertise across French-speaking African countries by providing specialized training for professionals working in transport and road safety.
The DUSRA programme addresses the urgent need to improve road safety in regions where road traffic injuries remain a major public health and development challenge. It provides a comprehensive training framework covering public road safety policies, infrastructure and engineering, speed management, risk behaviours, prevention measures, accident data analysis and other key aspects of safer mobility systems.
Representing CITA, Mr. Eduard Fernández, Executive Director, delivered lectures to the programme participants through virtual sessions on 12–13 March 2026, followed by a face-to-face lecture on 25 March 2026 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
His lectures focused on the role of vehicle regulatory frameworks in improving road safety and covered several key topics:
Regulations for new vehicles – approval and homologation
Regulations for registering new vehicles
Regulations for periodic vehicle inspections
Regulations for mass transport vehicles
Regulations for heavy-duty vehicles
Through these sessions, participants gained insights into the regulatory mechanisms that ensure vehicles entering and operating within the transport system meet safety and compliance requirements.
The DUSRA programme is structured around the five pillars of road safety defined by the World Health Organization—road safety management, safer infrastructure, safer vehicles, safer road users and post-crash response—offering participants a comprehensive and structured understanding of road safety challenges in the specific context of French-speaking African countries.
CITA’s participation in the 2026 edition builds on its continued engagement with the programme. In 2025, Mr. Fernández also contributed to the DUSRA training in Cotonou, Benin, delivering a lecture on best practices in vehicle inspection systems and international cooperation in road safety.
Yesterday (March 17th, 2026) in Brussels, CITA officially presented its Annual Report 2025 during an informal networking event at Plein Publiek BXL, held within the framework of the RAG Europe Conference 2026 (17–18 March).
The report provides a comprehensive overview of CITA’s activities throughout 2025 and highlights the collective efforts of our members and partners worldwide to advance vehicle compliance, road safety, and environmental protection.
Inside the report, you will discover: 🔹 Key policy initiatives and technical publications 🔹 Highlights from CITA conferences and regional events across the globe 🔹 Contributions to international road safety and regulatory discussions 🔹 Progress on emerging challenges such as EV inspection, ADAS testing, emissions control, and access to vehicle data
As the global vehicle fleet continues to evolve with new technologies and environmental requirements, vehicle inspection remains a cornerstone of safer and cleaner mobility.
We thank all CITA members, partners, and stakeholders for their continued commitment and collaboration.
From 17 to 20 February 2026, the international inland transport community gathered at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the 88th Annual Session of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC). Held primarily in Room XI and the Assembly Hall, the session took place at a pivotal moment for both the United Nations system and the global transport sector.
Under the high-level theme “Driving Innovation for the Future of Inland Transport”, the session addressed the profound transformation reshaping mobility — from automation and artificial intelligence to digitalization and data-driven governance. The High-Level Policy Segment on 18 February provided an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of the ITC within the UN80 initiative and to examine how innovation can be responsibly embedded into coherent, science-based and interoperable regulatory frameworks
CITA was represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Eduard Fernández, and its President, Mr. Gerhard Müller, reaffirming the organization's strong commitment to global cooperation in transport safety, compliance and sustainability.
The highlight of the week was the High-Level Policy Segment on 18 February, which brought together Ministers, senior government officials, heads of international organizations and industry leaders. Mr. Gerhard Müller was invited to deliver a high-level intervention during Ministerial Panel I: Innovation and Automation in Inland Transport, alongside key international transport leaders.
In his address to the plenary, Mr. Müller underlined the unique role of the ITC as the only global forum dedicated to inland transport in all its dimensions. He emphasised that:
The ITC has historically driven harmonisation, facilitation of transport, environmental protection and road safety.
WP.29 remains a global public good, providing transparent and science-based regulatory frameworks.
Technological evolution — including automated driving, AI and software-defined vehicles — must be matched by equally robust systems of oversight and compliance.
He stressed that innovation without transparency, accountability and harmonisation risks undermining public trust. Safety and environmental protection, he reaffirmed, must remain non-negotiable pillars of mobility policy.
CITA’s message was clear: technological evolution must become a societal evolution, delivering safer roads, cleaner mobility and responsible innovation.
Later that day, during the VIP Lunch, Mr. Müller delivered a second intervention, focusing on the human dimension of innovation. While acknowledging the extraordinary pace of automation, AI, connectivity and electrification, he reminded participants that mobility is fundamentally a human endeavor. He highlighted four essential principles of a human-centered mobility system:
Protecting people by ensuring safety remains paramount. Empowering people through accessible and inclusive mobility.
Respecting people via transparency in data and technological governance.
Benefiting people through cleaner and more sustainable transport.
He emphasized that public trust is the cornerstone of successful innovation and that CITA’s work in vehicle compliance and roadworthiness continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies, including software-defined vehicles and automated driving systems.
In the evening, during the Ministerial Dinner, Mr. Müller delivered his third speech of the day. Reflecting on the day’s discussions, he praised the spirit of cooperation and cross-border collaboration demonstrated throughout the session. He noted that innovation and automation demand coordination, foresight and trust — and that the ITC provides the indispensable global forum for achieving this. Concluding with sincere appreciation to UNECE, he expressed confidence that international cooperation will continue to guide inland transport safely through its ongoing transformation.
The broader weekly programme included restricted and regular ITC sessions, multistakeholder workshops on the UN Decade of Sustainable Transport, and ministerial-level engagements.
CITA’s active participation reinforced its central role in ensuring that innovation in vehicle technology is matched by innovation in regulation, compliance and oversight. As vehicles become increasingly complex, software-driven and automated, the need for transparent, harmonized and science-based regulatory frameworks becomes even more critical.
CITA stands ready to continue supporting UNECE, ITC and WP.29 in safeguarding safety, environmental protection and public trust.
CITA took part in the AECA-ITV Congress 2025, held on 19–20 November in Madrid, reinforcing its continued commitment to advancing vehicle inspection systems as pillars of road safety and environmental protection. AECA-ITV, a valued CITA member, once again brought together national and international stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of PTI.
Under the motto “La movilidad del futuro pasa por la ITV”, the congress focused on how the Spanish PTI system—and its European and international counterparts—must evolve to keep pace with new mobility demands, regulatory updates, and technological progress. Representatives from Spanish public administrations, the automotive and mobility sectors, and organizations dedicated to safety and sustainability contributed to two days of high-level debate.
One of the congress’s key sessions featured Mr. Eduard Fernández, CITA Executive Director, who participated in a dedicated dialogue on the European regulatory evolution of PTI and its implications for Spain. Fernández outlined the ongoing developments within the EU framework, including revisions to inspection standards, the integration of digital inspection tools, and the growing relevance of connected and automated vehicle technologies.
He emphasized that PTI remains a proven and indispensable mechanism for reducing road fatalities and emissions, and stressed that regulatory updates must ensure that inspection procedures are capable of addressing modern vehicle systems throughout their entire lifecycle.
This session was moderated by Mr. Víctor Salvachúa Barceló (APPLUS+), leader of the CITA Task Force on Electric Vehicles and CITA Topic Area A.
CITA’s technical expertise was also reflected in exchanges involving Alejandro Checa, CITA Technical Director, who contributed to discussions on inspection methodologies, the incorporation of advanced vehicle technologies.
The congress addressed a wide range of aspects central to the transformation of PTI in Spain and beyond, including:
upcoming regulatory changes at EU and national levels;
updates to Spain’s ITV Inspection Procedure Manual and the Manual de Reformas;
the challenges of new vehicle technologies and the impact of ADAS on safety inspection needs;
the growing importance of communication campaigns to raise public awareness about the life-saving role of PTI;
contributions from institutions such as the DGT, ENAC, UNE, and major sector associations;
discussions on the societal value of PTI and its contribution to safer, cleaner mobility.
Participants from legislative, judicial, and executive bodies, as well as regional authorities, vehicle manufacturers, motorcycle and agricultural equipment associations, and insurance sector representatives enriched the debate with diverse perspectives.
CITA’s participation underscored the strong and constructive cooperation with AECA-ITV, whose biennial congress continues to serve as a key reference event for the PTI community in Spain.
CITA warmly congratulates AECA-ITV on the successful organization of the Congress and looks forward to continuing joint efforts in promoting excellence in vehicle inspection worldwide.
CITA participated in the XI General Assembly of the Intergovernmental Council of the Ibero-American Road Safety Programme (OISEVI), held last week from 10 to 12 November 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The event gathered high-level authorities from Ibero-American countries, together with representatives from international organizations, development banks, and key partners in road safety, including the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), WHO/PAHO, FIA Foundation, Fundación MAPFRE, UNITAR, and CITA, among others.
The Assembly served as a key platform for cooperation, policy harmonization, and exchange of good practices in road safety management across the Ibero-American region, aiming to advance the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.6) by reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries by half.
On behalf of CITA, Mr. Wilhelm Ponciano took part as a panelist in Panel 4: “Safe Vehicles, Protected Users”, held on Monday, 10 November. The session focused on the crucial role of vehicle safety standards and inspection systems in protecting all road users, highlighting how robust PTI frameworks contribute to preventing crashes and minimizing risks.
The event concluded with the approval of the OISEVI 2025–2026 Work Plan and the renewal of commitments to strengthen technical and financial cooperation mechanisms across the region.
On 24 October 2025, about 100 CITA members joined an online webinar dedicated to Recommendation No. 27: Electric Vehicles – A Comprehensive Approach, presented by Víctor Salvachúa Barceló (APPLUS+), leader of the CITA Task Force on Electric Vehicles. The session was moderated by Alejandro Checa, CITA Technical Director.
Following the release of the Recommendation earlier this year, this webinar offered participants the opportunity to explore its practical and regulatory implications in greater depth. Mr. Salvachúa guided attendees through the document’s structure, highlighting how the Task Force developed a comprehensive inspection framework for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The presentation focused on critical aspects of EV inspection, such as electrical safety, lifecycle considerations, equipotential bonding, insulation resistance measurement, and the integration of electronic diagnostics. It also emphasized the importance of data accessibility, standardized inspection points, and software integrity checks—all essential for ensuring the safe operation and sustainability of the growing EV fleet.
During the discussion, participants exchanged views on how these proposals could shape the future of Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI) and support the evolution of EU and international regulatory frameworks.
CITA warmly thanks all participants for their active engagement and contributions, and extends special appreciation to the EV Task Force for its ongoing efforts to enhance safety and consistency in vehicle inspection systems worldwide.
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