07Feb7 February, 2025

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.

30Jan30 January, 2025

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.

DOWNOLOAD THE PRESENTATION
DOWNLOAD THE STUDY

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

20Jan20 January, 2025

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.

16Dec16 December, 2024

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.

VISIT THE ADPA WEBSITE

06Dec6 December, 2024

Outcomes of the 14th Florence Intermodal Forum

The 14^thFlorence 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.

05Dec5 December, 2024

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.

WATCH THE VIDEO

06Apr6 April, 2023

CITA open letter delivered to Mrs. Von der Leyen

Mr. Patrick Fruth, CEO of TÜV SÜD Mobility - member of CITA, was among the participants of a German delegation of business representatives who met the President of the Commission, Mrs. von der Leyen, in Brussels last 28 March.

On behalf of CITA, Mr. Fruth was able to deliver the open letter on the subject of vehicle data access, underlining that sector-specific European legislation on access to on-board data is urgently needed and crucial for sovereign vehicle inspections.

DOWNLOAD THE LETTER

21Mar21 March, 2023

EU Commission recommendation on PN measurement for PTI

(Brussels. 20/03/2023) The European Commission yesterday published a recommendation containing guidelines for particle number ("PN") concentration testing during periodic technical inspection ("PTI").

Based on existing methods developed by certain Member States, the findings of laboratory tests carried out by the Joint Research Centre of the Commission as well as a consultation of the Commission’s Roadworthiness Expert Group, this paper represents a first step towards harmonised PN measurement during roadworthiness testing.

This Commission’s recommendation defines requirements related to the PN measuring equipment and procedure, metrological and technical requirements, and recommends a pass/fail limit. The guidelines should be applied to all M and N category vehicles equipped with compression ignition engines and diesel particulate filters:

on light-duty vehicles first registered as of 1 January 2013 (Euro 5b and newer)
on heavy-duty vehicles first registered as of 1 January 2014 (Euro VI and newer)

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