Tag - member

6th international PTI workshop


On the 12th and 13th of October, the international vehicle inspection community gathered for the 6th International PTI Workshop in Ispra, Italy. This esteemed event was organized by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW). With the backing of significant entities like the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) of the European Commission and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure Water Management, this workshop promised insights into the pressing issues and future advancements in the field of roadworthiness testing.

A blend of currently relevant and forward-thinking subjects occupied the workshop's schedule:

  • PN/NOx testing: An analysis of the methods and relevance of testing for these pollutants.
  • Access and definition vehicle data: Discussing the challenges and solutions in accessing and defining vehicle data.
  • Scope of the directive 2014/45/EU: A deep dive into the directive and its implications for roadworthiness.
  • PTI Frequency: Delving into the frequency of periodic technical inspections and its relevance in modern times.
  • PTI and Electric Vehicles: Understanding the unique challenges and solutions when it comes to inspecting electric vehicles.
  • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): A look into the technologies that aid drivers and how they impact vehicle roadworthiness.

To further educate and engage the attendees, various presentations and workshops were organized. These sessions spotlighted subjects that are instrumental for the future developments in the periodic inspection of vehicles.

DG MOVE used this platform to provide an update on the status of the RWP. Additionally, attendees had the golden opportunity to get acquainted with initiatives and the horizon of developments in roadworthiness testing across other EU member states.

CITA played an instrumental role in the event. Prominent figures like Gerhard MÜLLER - CITA President, Pascal BUEKENHOUDT - CITA Vice President Technical Affairs, and Víctor Salvachúa - Chairman of the CITA TA A on R&D vehicle compliance, actively participated, sharing their expertise and insights with the gathered professionals.

A touching moment during the event was when the CITA President presented a recognition plate to Hens Peeters-Weem, acknowledging his invaluable contribution to PTI. This gesture became all the more poignant as Mr. Peeters-Weem is set to retire in the upcoming weeks.

In essence, the 6th International PTI Workshop not only addressed the present concerns but also charted a roadmap for the future, ensuring that the vehicle community is well-prepared for the challenges and advancements on the horizon.

AECA-ITV Annual Congress in Barcelona


In a clear sign of the rapidly evolving landscape of vehicle inspections across Europe, AECA-ITV, the renowned PTI Spanish association, hosted its annual congress in Barcelona on the 4th and 5th of October. The two-day event, fittingly themed "Mirando al Futuro" ("Looking to the Future"), witnessed experts, policymakers, and stakeholders converge to discuss and shape the future of vehicle safety, environmental protection, and inspection standards.

Key insights from the presentations included emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs), on the digitization of inspection records, on environmental regulations, safety protocols, and harmonization across Europe.

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the event was the participation of CITA, represented by its Executive Director, Eduard Fernández, who presented a keenly-anticipated talk on the evolution of PTI in Europe.

The AECA-ITV annual congress served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in an ever-changing landscape. As Europe drives towards a safer, greener, and more efficient future, organizations like AECA-ITV and CITA will play a crucial role in shaping the direction of vehicle inspections and safety protocols.


Japanese delegation visits GOCA Vlaanderen and CITA for PTI talks


In a significant move to bolster international collaboration on vehicle safety standards and inspection protocols, a high-profile Japanese delegation visited yesterday (3 October 2023) GOCA Vlaanderen and CITA in Brussels. The delegation, which comprised of top officials from Japan's transportation departments such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the National Agency for Automobile and Land Transport Technology (NALTEC), the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization (LMVIO), the Japan Automotive Service Equipment Association (JASEA), and the Japan Automobile Standards Internationalization Center (JASIC), aimed to discuss and understand the European models of vehicle inspection and to explore possibilities for mutual learning and cooperation.

The primary focus of this visit was on the robust vehicle inspection system in Europe and in Belgium, which has earned recognition for its stringent quality checks and efficiency. With the growing concerns about vehicle safety, emissions, and the increasing shift towards electric vehicles, the need for a more standardized and comprehensive vehicle inspection system is more crucial than ever.

CITA, known globally for its role in establishing vehicle inspection guidelines, was naturally the focal point of these discussions. The agency shared insights on the latest best practices, technology innovations in inspection, and the challenges faced in ensuring vehicles on the road are safe and compliant.

CITA Recommendation no. 26: Suspension Testing


CITA Recommendation no. 1 lists the items that should be inspected during periodic technical inspection of the vehicle, the method of inspection and the principal reasons for failure. Section 5 of CITA Rec. 1 covers axles, wheels, tyres and suspensions.

The purpose of the new CITA Recommendation no. 26 is to specify in greater detail the recommended test methods and equipment for assessing the condition and performance of the vehicle’s suspension as part of the periodic technical inspection.

A general assumption of periodic inspection is that new vehicles comply with legal requirements. The principal aim of periodic inspection is to test whether a vehicle has been properly maintained and is still roadworthy. This recommendation is based on the requirements for suspensions stated in European Union council directive no. 2014/45/EU on roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers.

The document has been developed by the CITA Suspension Task Force.

It describes 3 stages:

· Stage I: Describes suspension testing in accordance with the current EU directive 2014/45/EU.

· Stage II: Describes the advanced current or near-future technology. Stage II describes what can be done in addition to Stage I.

· Stage III: Description of possible future tests. Stage III describes what can be done besides stages I and II.


Mr. Aitor Retes: The New CITA Secretary General


The CITA community celebrates the appointment of Mr. Aitor Retes Aguado as the new Secretary General. The appointment was officially approved by the CITA Bureau Permanent on 26 September 2023.

His incredible journey, spanning more than 8 years within CITA Bureau Permanent, marked by perseverance, dedication, and strategic brilliance, has culminated in this well-deserved recognition.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as he takes on this new role.

A new CITA Corporate Member: UNIMETAL


UNIMETAL specializes in manufacturing vehicle inspection equipment and developing IT/IoT systems for PTI centers. Their integrated automatic vehicle test lanes and mobile inspection solutions are used in more than 30 countries around the world. In engineering and development, they place a strong emphasis on the technological excellence and innovation as well as efficiency of their products in everyday use. UNIMETAL is eager to contribute to the development of global standards and best practices in vehicle safety, environmental protection and road security.

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A new CITA Corporate Member: MAHLE

As MAHLE Aftermarket, their 1.926 employees at over 30 locations worldwide offer 30 years of experience in workshop equipment and diagnostics and 100 years of experience in engine parts, filtration, and thermal management. They develop and produce service equipment relevant to periodic technical inspections such as diagnostic tools, emission meters, innovative battery tests and ADAS calibration. With their research and development results, they want to contribute to the excellent work of CITA.

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A new CITA Corporate member

VAMAG is an Italian leading Garage Equipment Company founded in 1981 in Milan area in the north of Italy by Mr. Gianfranco Crosta. He switched his passion for Automotive into a job, starting-up his own manufacturing Company since the beginning of the 80’s.

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