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International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee

EU
12Feb

CITA at the Future of Transport Ministerial Retreat

Geneva, 10 February 2025 — The Future of Transport Ministerial Retreat, organized by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), gathered key global stakeholders to deliberate on the strategic future of transport. Held at the World Economic Forum headquarters in Geneva, the event was pivotal in shaping discussions around sustainable transport, digital transformation, and strategic foresight for the post-2030 development agenda.

CITA was proudly represented by its President, Gerhard Müller, and its Executive Director, Eduard Fernández. Their participation underscored CITA's commitment to advancing regulatory compliance and fostering international collaboration in the evolving landscape of transport.

The retreat featured a comprehensive agenda focused on the future-proofing of physical and digital infrastructure, with sessions on strategic foresight, expert insights, and scenario mapping. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration to address global transport challenges exacerbated by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological advancements.

In his compelling address during the retreat's dinner session, Gerhard Muller emphasized the fundamental role of transport as the backbone of global economies, influencing GDP contributions ranging from 6% to 12%. He lauded UNECE's Inland Transport Committee (ITC) for its instrumental work in facilitating efficient trade and promoting human development through key international conventions..

“Transport is the backbone of any economy,” Müller stated, drawing attention to the critical role of regulatory frameworks like the TIR Convention, the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic, and the 1997 Agreement on Vehicle Inspections. He highlighted the risk of complacency with long-standing conventions, advocating for continuous modernization to keep pace with emerging transport technologies.

Müller illustrated the importance of international standards with a simple yet powerful analogy: a universal plug converter. “When we don’t have international standards, inefficiency prevails,” he remarked, showcasing how standardization in transport has effectively avoided similar pitfalls, unlike other sectors lacking global harmonization.

Reaffirming CITA’s dedication, Müller concluded, “Harmonization and standardization are essential for the development of sustainable transport, and the Inland Transport Committee is the forum to make that happen.” He expressed CITA’s readiness to collaborate with international partners to advance smart transport standardization, ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and safety in the global mobility ecosystem.

CITA's active engagement at the Future of Transport Ministerial Retreat reflects its pivotal role in shaping transport policies that respond to the complexities of a rapidly changing world. By participating in such high-level dialogues, CITA continues to influence the global transport agenda, championing regulatory excellence and fostering a future-ready transport landscape.

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07Feb

Key Takeaways from CITA’s Meeting with Færdselsstyrelsen & CORTE

On February 6, 2025, CITA had the privilege of hosting an important meeting at its facilities, bringing together key stakeholders from Færdselsstyrelsen—the Danish Road Traffic Authority—and CORTE (the Confederation of Organisations in Road Transport Enforcement). This strategic gathering served as a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues shaping the future of road safety and regulatory frameworks across Europe.

The discussions were particularly timely, considering Denmark's upcoming Presidency of the EU Council in the second semester of 2025. This context added a significant dimension to the meeting, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts in driving policy advancements and regulatory coherence throughout the EU.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • New Technologies and Regulatory Compliance
  • Digitalization
  • Tampering
  • Electric Vehicles:
  • Evolution of the Roadworthiness Package

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration, recognizing that the dynamic nature of the transport sector demands ongoing dialogue and cooperation.

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30Jan

CITA & TRL Webinar: Key Findings on Vehicle Defects and Road Safety

Yesterday (January 29th, 2025), CITA held an exclusive webinar in collaboration with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). This highly anticipated event shed light on the findings of TRL’s report, “Relationship between Vehicle Defects Checked in Roadworthiness Inspections and Those Identified in Collision Analyses.”

The webinar opened with a presentation by Dr. Mervyn Edwards, Senior Consultant at TRL, who highlighted the objectives and context of the study. He explained the critical role of PTI in identifying vehicle defects and reducing the risk of traffic collisions. The report’s analysis demonstrated a direct correlation between vehicle deficiencies identified during roadworthiness inspections and those found as contributory factors in collision investigations.

Through extensive research and data analysis, TRL compared collision data from jurisdictions with and without PTI systems. The findings underscored that in-depth collision investigations - those involving expert analysis and advanced diagnostic tools - are far more effective at identifying vehicle defects as contributing factors to accidents. While standard collision investigations conducted by police officers at the scene identified 50% of dangerous deficiencies overall, in-depth investigations revealed a significantly higher rate of 88%.

The presentation emphasized the differences in detection rates for specific vehicle systems:

  • Braking Systems: In-depth investigations identified 68% of braking deficiencies compared to 38% by standard methods.
  • Tyres & Suspension: Standard inspections performed reasonably well, identifying up to 60% of deficiencies, but in-depth investigations still outperformed at 83%.
  • Other Critical Systems: Axles, steering, and chassis issues showed similar trends, with in-depth methods consistently revealing more deficiencies.

The webinar also examined scenarios where deficiencies were less likely to be detected, particularly when minor or concealed defects were involved. This highlighted the limitations of standard inspections and the need for more comprehensive investigative approaches.

Dr. Edwards noted that while PTI systems provide measurable safety benefits, their full potential may not be realized unless complemented by robust collision investigation processes. He emphasized the importance of integrating findings from both standard and in-depth investigations to inform future policies and improve road safety outcomes.

CITA thanks TRL and all participants for their contributions to this important discussion.

For more information about the TRL report and upcoming CITA events, visit our website or contact us directly.

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20Jan

CITA’s Active Role in WHO 2024 Road Safety Legislation Trainings

From December 10 to13, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a road safety legislation training in Guangzhou, China, as part of its ongoing efforts under the Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety. This event saw active participation from CITA, represented by its President, Mr. Gerhard Müller. His contributions were integral to two distinct workshops during the event, highlighting the critical role of vehicle inspection in improving road safety.

Workshop 1: ASEAN + China Road Safety Capacity Building

Held from December 10–12, 2024, the “2024 ASEAN + China Road Safety Capacity Building Workshop” brought together representatives from the ASEAN Member States and China. The primary focus was on enhancing the capacity to adopt and implement UN road safety legal instruments.

On December 11, Mr. Müller delivered a comprehensive presentation titled “Good Practices of Vehicle Periodical Inspection Regulations in the World.” He showcased studies demonstrating the positive impact of PTI on road safety outcomes and emphasized the importance of governance as a determining factor in the effectiveness of vehicle inspections. He also introduced CITA's innovative tools, such as the Assessment of Vehicle Inspection Systems (AVIS) and its associated scoring system, as practical approaches to evaluate and improve PTI systems.

Workshop 2: Bi-Regional Road Safety Legislation Training Program

From December 11–13, the “Bi-Regional Road Safety Legislation Training Program” facilitated knowledge exchange between the WHO Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions. During this workshop, Mr. Müller reiterated the themes of his earlier presentation, underlining the pivotal role of robust PTI regulations in reducing traffic accidents.

He also participated in a panel discussion on “New Vehicle Technologies to Improve Road Safety.” Mr. Müller highlighted the safety potential of advanced technologies, while emphasizing the necessity of PTI to maintain these technologies’ effectiveness throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle. He advocated for fair and non-discriminatory access to vehicle data, a critical enabler for monitoring and ensuring safety standards.

The event underscored the significance of integrating robust vehicle inspection systems into broader road safety frameworks.  CITA’s involvement exemplifies its commitment to global road safety by bridging technical expertise with policy advocacy. By participating in such international forums, CITA continues to support efforts to reduce road fatalities and injuries, aligning with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.

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16Dec

CITA at the “Keeping EU Moving!” Event By ADPA

On December 10, 2024, the Automotive Data Publishers Association (ADPA) hosted the "Keeping EU Moving!" event in Brussels, focusing on the critical issues of safety, sustainability, and affordability in road mobility. The event brought together a panel of distinguished policymakers, business leaders, and automotive experts to discuss how targeted regulatory measures can unlock the potential of the European automotive aftermarket ecosystem.

The "Keeping EU Moving!" event served as a timely platform for dialogue, coinciding with the new European Parliament and European Commission’s tenure. With 500,000 companies and 4 million workers in the European automotive aftermarket ecosystem, the panel underscored the sector’s immense potential to drive safety and sustainability improvements.

Mr. Eduard Fernández, Executive Director of CITA, participated as a key panelist in a discussion centered on the importance of repair and maintenance in ensuring the safety, sustainability, and affordability of road mobility.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Fernández emphasized the critical role of proper vehicle inspection in preventing accidents. He noted that mechanical issues, such as poorly maintained brakes, tires, and lighting systems, are among the most easily preventable causes of accidents. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are properly functioning, as they help drivers respond more effectively in emergencies.

Mr. Fernandez’s participation reinforced CITA’s commitment to advancing vehicle technical inspection as key to sustainable and affordable road mobility.

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06Dec

Outcomes of the 14th Florence Intermodal Forum

The 14th Florence Intermodal Forum, held in October 2024, culminated in a recently published comprehensive report summarizing the event’s key discussions and actionable outcomes. Organized by the Florence School of Regulation and DG MOVE of the European Commission, the forum addressed the critical theme of road safety, with a particular focus on the utilization of data from connected vehicles for public benefit. The outcomes, published in December 2024, provide a clear direction for leveraging digital technologies to enhance safety, sustainability, and efficiency in road transport.

KEY OUTCOMES

Connected Vehicle Data's Role / The forum underscored the transformative potential of connected vehicle data in achieving the EU’s Vision Zero target of eliminating road fatalities by 2050. The publication emphasized that data generated by these vehicles can:

  • Detect hazardous areas through real-time monitoring.
  • Support evidence-based urban planning for safer infrastructure.
  • Improve emergency response by providing accurate crash and location data.

Need for Sector-Specific Regulation / Discussions revealed the necessity for sector-specific legislation to address challenges associated with connected vehicle data:

  • Balancing commercial interests with the public good.
  • Guaranteeing data privacy and cybersecurity while ensuring data accessibility.
  • Establishing clear roles and responsibilities among stakeholders for data management and usage.

The report highlighted the need for a unified European framework to overcome fragmentation in national regulations, ensuring data interoperability and facilitating cross-border safety measures.

CITA President’s Contribution / Gerhard Müller, President of CITA, provided key insights into the implications of connected vehicle data for sovereign vehicle inspections. His comments, highlighted in the publication, advocated for:

  • Establishing non-discriminatory access to vehicle data for safety and emissions compliance.
  • Recognizing the ownership of data by drivers rather than manufacturers, ensuring fairness and transparency.
  • Creating a “Trust Centre” model to manage secure data access and maintain consumer trust.

Müller emphasized that “only if vehicle testing and inspection methods keep pace with the development of new technologies can we manage risks, detect manipulations, and maintain a high level of road safety and environmental protection.”

The forum highlighted key obstacles like high costs, technical challenges, lack of standardization across the EU, and limited capacity of local authorities to utilize data effectively. To maximize the benefits of connected vehicle data, the report suggests fostering public-private cooperation, supporting local authorities with investments, and ensuring legislation adapts swiftly to technological changes.

This publication serves as a vital resource, guiding policymakers, industry leaders, and public authorities in harnessing the power of connected vehicle data to achieve the EU’s ambitious road safety goals.

CITA remains at the forefront of these efforts, advocating for a balanced approach to regulation and innovation that prioritizes public safety while fostering competitiveness in the automotive industry.

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05Dec

EC Officials Visit to See Vehicle Inspection Practices in Slovakia

On 23-24 October 2024, officials from the European Commission received an in-depth presentation of vehicle technical inspections in Slovakia, focusing on the processes and standards implemented for safety and emission checks. The visit was organized by the Slovak Ministry of Transport (Ministerstvo dopravy SR) and involved TESTEK and S-EKA, the key members of the international CITA network, which play a significant role in ensuring the quality and compliance of vehicle inspections in Slovakia.

As part of its initiative to revise European legislation on periodic technical inspections of vehicles, and roadside inspections of commercial vehicles, the Commission observed various inspection practices. Highlights of the visit included a coordinated technical roadside inspection at the D4 Jarovce-Kittsee border crossing, conducted jointly by Slovak traffic police and Austrian inspection authorities. These inspections involved portable scales for weight checks, mobile devices for brake and emission tests, and discussions on handling detected faults.

The delegation also visited Slovak technical inspection stations and emission check facilities. The Slovakian officials demonstrated the supervisory processes, technical methodologies, and compliance enforcement mechanisms used during inspections. Special attention was given to how data from inspections is recorded and used to ensure accuracy and transparency. Discussions also addressed future-oriented topics, such as automating certain inspection procedures and the potential introduction of solid particle measurement for diesel engines in the forthcoming Commission legislative proposals.

This visit underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between national authorities, industry stakeholders, and European institutions in enhancing road safety and environmental standards.

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29Nov

Insights from the CITA RAG AA Conference 2024

The CITA Regional Advisory Group (RAG) Asia/Australasia Conference 2024, themed "Take a Big Step Forward: Safe and Sustainable Mobility," took place on November 27–28, 2024, in Incheon, South Korea. Hosted by the Korean Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA), this prestigious event gathered stakeholders, experts, and decision-makers from across the region to discuss innovative strategies and collaborative solutions for achieving safer and more sustainable road mobility.

The two-day conference kicked off with a captivating opening ceremony that featured a calligraphy performance symbolizing the unity and purpose of the gathering. A warm welcome and inspiring speeches set the tone for the event, including remarks by Yong Sik Jeong, President of KOTSA, and Myagmarsuren from Mongolia's Ministry of Road and Transport (MRT).

In his opening speech CITA President Gerhard Müller emphasized the urgency of collective action to address pressing issues in road safety and environmental sustainability. Drawing on sobering statistics, including the WHO's recent findings on global road fatalities, Müller highlighted the growing challenges posed by the expanding global vehicle fleet and stressed the importance of robust vehicle inspection systems. He articulated the need for impartiality, technological adaptation, and harmonization between standards for new and in-use vehicles to ensure safety and reduce emissions.

The conference explored three critical themes:

  1. Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Mobility: Insights were shared on the state of vehicle inspections, future challenges, and the integration of technology in periodic technical inspections (PTI).
  2. Safety Management of Eco-Friendly Vehicles: Topics included advancements in autonomous vehicle assessments, electric vehicle (EV) regulations in China, and innovations in battery inspection systems.
  3. Strengthening Automobile Inspection Functions: Presentations highlighted collaborative projects between Korea and Mongolia, as well as cutting-edge developments in hydrogen-electric hybrid safety evaluation.

Attendees were also treated to a unique second-day experience featuring a tour of the Dongtan Inspection Center, where they witnessed demonstrations of electric vehicle inspections and over-the-air (OTA) technology applications.

The CITA RAG AA Conference 2024 exemplified the spirit of collaboration and innovation necessary to advance safe and sustainable mobility.

As President Müller concluded in his speech, "It’s time for a big step forward—now." The CITA community eagerly anticipates its next major event, the CITA International Conference and 24th General Assembly, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 6–8, 2025, under the theme “Forging Global Alliances for Safer Roads and Greener Futures.”

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22Nov

South Africa Working Together to Improve the Fleet

The Johannesburg Automechanika event on 19 November 2024 provided an excellent opportunity for test station operators to engage with authorities on a wide range of topics, ensuring the effectiveness of roadworthiness inspections and test station operations. The Vehicle Testing Association (VTA) Imbizo (a Zulu word meaning "gathering of people") took place alongside the events and exhibitions of Automechanika.

CITA contributed to the event through Chantal Abou Jaoude from Maha, who presented on Best Practice Recommendations from Africa and the Middle East, showcasing current developments in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Eduard Fernandez, Executive Director of CITA, introduced the organization, highlighting its extensive constituency, significant body of work, and active task teams.

In South Africa, the regulatory framework governing test station operations and roadworthiness processes operates on three levels. The National Department of Transport is responsible for policy and regulatory matters, while the individual Provincial Mobility/Transport Departments oversee the registration and supervision of operators within their provinces. Additionally, the Minister of Transport has appointed an Inspectorate of Testing Stations, which resides within the Certification division of the South African Bureau of Standards.

All roadworthy inspection results are recorded in the NATIS (National Traffic Information System)—a centralized, government-owned database of vehicles, vehicle owners, and drivers. The system is managed by the lead agency for road safety in the country, the RTMC (Road Traffic Management Corporation).

South Africa has over 500 test stations, the majority of which are privately operated. These private stations have organized themselves into various industry bodies, with the largest being the VTA (Vehicle Testing Association), part of the RMI (Retail Motor Industry). The RMI represents 8,700 motor-related businesses serving the aftermarket sector, including vehicle testing stations. Ferose Oaten, a board member of CITA and Chairperson for CITA RAG Africa, also serves as the National Chairperson of the VTA in South Africa.

At the Automechanika VTA Imbizo, all the aforementioned authorities presented on various topics. These included the digitization of inspection reports, the integration of multiple databases with the NATIS system, trends of non-compliance within the industry, local provincial issues, proposed policy changes to include alternately powered vehicles, and other relevant topics.

Regarding legislative requirements for roadworthiness tests, private vehicles are only required to be inspected upon a change of ownership. Heavy goods vehicles and taxis must undergo annual inspections, while buses are required to have roadworthiness inspections every six months. South Africa currently has 13.9 million vehicles, of which only 21% of the fleet are required to undergo roadworthy inspections under the current regulations. In 2014, the Minister of Transport published legislation to implement periodic technical inspections for vehicles older than 10 years every two years. However, this provision, although published, will only be implemented “at a date determined by the Minister.”

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13Nov

EU should set mandatory safety standards for e-scooters

Brussels - A new report published today by the European Transport Safety Council calls for the development of mandatory technical requirements for all e-scooters sold in the European Union to replace the current patchwork of national requirements, and voluntary standards. The standards should include a speed limiter set at 20 km/h as well as stability, minimum braking and maximum acceleration requirements, according to ETSC.

The researchers recommend that national governments set a minimum age of 16 for e-scooter riders, a requirement for mandatory helmets, as well as a ban on riding after consuming alcohol or drugs or riding with passengers.

Jenny Carson, co-author of the report said: “E-scooters are now an established and popular way of getting around in urban areas in the EU. However, they also come with a degree of risk that needs addressing more effectively than today. With the right combination of a safer urban traffic environment, safer vehicles and safer rider behaviour, we can ensure that the roads are safer for e-scooter riders as well as cyclists and pedestrians.”

In national data from European countries, the researchers found 119 road deaths in 2022 in collisions involving ‘motorised micro-mobility devices’ – a category of personal light electric vehicle that is dominated by e-scooters but also includes rarer vehicles such as electric unicycles. While this figure was an increase on previous years, that may be due simply to increased numbers of e-scooter riders. The researchers are calling for more data on e-scooter usage to understand better the risk levels, which, according to some previous analyses, are higher than for cycling.

Many crashes and injuries involving e-scooters only involve the rider, and no other road users. In such cases, police may not be called to the scene, leading to the possibility that the collision is not reported in national data. More needs to be done at national level to link hospital data to police records in order to gain a fuller picture of injury rates.

Reported e-scooter-related deaths often involve alcohol, with the limited data available showing that between half and two-thirds of those killed had consumed alcohol before riding. Countermeasures against drink-riding should include legal limits with appropriate levels of enforcement. In Finland and Norway, city authorities have required shared e-scooter providers to limit speed at night, or banned shared e-scooters altogether during night hours - measures which resulted in a reduction in injuries.

30 km/h speed limits in urban areas are one of the main tools cities can use to reduce the risks for e-scooter users in urban areas. Drivers of cars, vans and lorries travelling at 30 km/h or less are much less likely to kill vulnerable road users such as e-scooter riders, pedestrians and cyclists.
Some existing EU product regulations apply to e-scooters, for example rules covering machinery and batteries, however there is no mandatory single standard for e-scooters covering factors such as stability, maximum speed and braking performance. In the absence of EU regulation, several EU member states including Germany and Spain, have developed their own national standards for the vehicles. ETSC recommends that the EU develop a single set of mandatory technical requirements, including a mandatory top speed limit of 20 km/h, set at the factory. 11 European countries already require a 20 km/h maximum speed for e-scooters at national level.

New standards should also require a minimum level of braking performance, a limit on maximum acceleration, front and rear brakes, an audible warning device (such as a bell), as well as front and rear lights, according to ETSC.

The EU has mandatory safety standards for new cars, vans and lorries which include the fitting of automated emergency braking systems that can help prevent crashes with pedestrians and cyclists. However, such systems are not currently required to recognize e-scooter riders. ETSC says the standard needs to be updated soon, as it takes years for new safety technologies to reach the majority of all vehicles on the road.

Download the report at: www.etsc.eu/pinflash47
The European Transport Safety Council is the independent voice for road safety in Europe www.etsc.eu

ETSC’s Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) programme receives financial support from the German Road Safety Council (DVR), Toyota Motor Europe, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, CITA – the International Motor Vehicle Inspection Committee and Fundación MAPFRE.

For further information:
Dudley Curtis, Communications Manager, dc@etsc.eu

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