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, 25 March 2026, CITA organized a webinar titled “AI in Vehicle Regulation: A CITA Strategic Dialogue”, bringing together members to discuss the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in vehicle regulation and its implications for inspection and approval authorities.
Presented by Olivier Pletinckx, CITA Technical Manager, the session provided an overview of the ongoing work within the UNECE Informal Working Group (IWG) on Artificial Intelligence, which aims to support WP.29 in developing guidance on safe and trustworthy AI in vehicles. The group is working towards a risk-based regulatory framework addressing how AI is used in regulated automotive systems and how potential risks can be managed throughout the lifecycle of AI-based technologies.
During the webinar, participants explored how AI is already influencing vehicle technologies and regulatory processes. AI is increasingly embedded in safety-critical vehicle systems, including perception functions for detecting road users and obstacles, planning and motion control systems, and monitoring functions such as driver attention and occupant safety.
The discussion also highlighted the growing relevance of AI for inspection and market surveillance activities. Artificial Intelligence can support inspection processes through technologies such as computer vision for automated visual inspection, analysis of vehicle diagnostics and emissions data, predictive maintenance analytics, and automated anomaly detection during testing procedures. In the future, AI could also enable more advanced concepts such as fully automated inspection lanes, continuous vehicle monitoring through connected data, and AI-based risk prioritisation for inspections.
Participants were also briefed on the broader regulatory discussions taking place within the IWG. The group is examining AI use cases, reviewing existing international standards, and developing a catalogue of potential risks associated with AI systems, including issues related to data quality, robustness, traceability, and lifecycle monitoring. These efforts aim to provide a practical reference framework for regulators and type approval authorities.
A key message from the session was that AI regulation is rapidly becoming a central topic in automotive safety governance, and that inspection, approval and market surveillance authorities must actively contribute to shaping this emerging framework.
As a next step, CITA members discussed the proposal to establish a dedicated CITA Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. The objective of this initiative would be to consolidate expertise within the association, analyse regulatory developments, and coordinate structured contributions to the ongoing work within UNECE WP.29.
The webinar highlighted the importance of ensuring that the inspection community’s perspective is reflected in future AI regulatory guidance, particularly as AI technologies increasingly influence both vehicle safety systems and inspection methodologies.
On 19–20 March 2026, the VERT Forum and Focus Day took place at the Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) in Bern, Switzerland, bringing together experts from industry, research institutions, testing organisations and regulatory authorities to discuss developments in vehicle emissions control, ultrafine particle measurement and air quality technologies.
The event focused on the latest scientific and technical advances in the measurement and mitigation of ultrafine particle emissions, as well as on the implementation and further development of Particle Number – Periodic Technical Inspection (PN-PTI) systems. PN-PTI continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in identifying high-emitting vehicles and ensuring the proper functioning of emission control systems. The discussions highlighted the importance of continuing the international harmonisation and further development of PN-PTI as part of broader strategies to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions.
The first day of the forum addressed nanoparticle pollution and indoor air quality, including new approaches to mitigation through advanced filtration technologies, nanoparticle metrology and innovative air quality solutions.
The Focus Day on 20 March concentrated on the implementation of NPTI worldwide, presenting experiences from early-adopter countries and discussing future developments, including potential expansion to petrol engines and other combustion engine applications.
CITA was strongly represented at the event, with many CITA members participating in the discussions and technical sessions. CITA itself was represented by Alejandro Checa, Technical Director, and Pascal Buekenhoudt, Vice-President Technical Affairs. During the Focus Day, Mr. Checa presented on the evolution of pollution control within PTI, highlighting its role in ensuring the environmental performance of vehicles throughout their lifetime and discussing future inspection approaches, including particle number measurement and digital inspection technologies.
Yesterday, 19 March 2026, CITA hosted a high-level event at the European Parliament’s Info Hub in Brussels under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The discussion brought together policymakers, researchers, and technical experts to explore how the EU Roadworthiness Package can strengthen road safety and environmental protection across Europe.
The event took place in the context of the European Parliament’s ongoing examination of the Roadworthiness Package and focused particularly on the enforcement dimension of vehicle compliance, including the role of periodic roadworthiness testing and recall campaigns in ensuring that vehicles remain safe and environmentally compliant throughout their operational life.
The event opened with institutional keynote remarks from John Albrecht (European Parliament, DG COMM Multipliers Outreach Unit), Gerhard Müller (President of CITA), and George Louka (Director of the Road Transport Department of Cyprus).
Speakers highlighted the growing importance of effective vehicle compliance mechanisms in achieving the EU’s road safety and environmental objectives. With the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 approaching its midpoint, the discussion emphasised the need to reinforce policies that ensure vehicles circulating on European roads remain safe, well maintained and compliant with emission standards.
The technical session provided insights into both regulatory implementation and research evidence:
Iosif Miltiadous, Senior Mechanical Engineer at the Cyprus Road Transport Department, presented key elements of the Roadworthiness Package and its implications for vehicle inspection systems. His presentation highlighted how revised rules aim to address modern vehicle technologies, including electric vehicles, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and digital safety systems, while strengthening emissions testing and recall verification mechanisms.
Prof. Wolfgang H. Schulz (Zeppelin University) presented research on the economic and systemic role of periodic technical inspections (PTI). Drawing on international studies, he demonstrated how inspection systems contribute to road safety, reduce accident risks, and generate broader economic benefits through improved vehicle maintenance and reduced crash costs.
Dr. Mervyn Edwards (Transport Research Laboratory, UK) shared findings on the relationship between vehicle defects identified during roadworthiness inspections and those detected during collision investigations. The research suggests that many safety-critical vehicle defects may remain undetected in standard collision analyses, underlining the importance of systematic vehicle inspections to identify potentially dangerous faults before accidents occur.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and exchange of views involving Marian Rybiansky (Member of the CITA Bureau Permanent), Servi Beckers (Association of EU Vehicle and Driver Registration Authorities – EReg), Prof. Wolfgang H. Schulz, Dr. Mervyn Edwards, and Iosif Miltiadous.
Participants discussed how improved cooperation between vehicle registration authorities, inspection bodies, manufacturers and regulators can enhance enforcement of vehicle compliance across the EU. Key themes included data sharing, integration of safety recall checks into inspection regimes, and the role of digital tools in supporting cross-border enforcement.
Throughout the event, speakers emphasized that ensuring vehicle compliance over the entire vehicle lifecycle is essential for delivering the full safety and environmental benefits of EU legislation. By bringing together expertise from policymakers, researchers and inspection authorities, the conference contributed valuable insights to the European Parliament’s deliberations on the Roadworthiness Package. The event closed with remarks from George Louka and Gerhard Müller, reaffirming CITA’s commitment to supporting EU institutions in developing effective, evidence-based policies that keep vehicles safe, clean and compliant throughout their lifetime.
Following the discussion, participants continued their exchanges during a networking lunch in Brussels.
On 17–18 March 2026, CITA members and invited experts gathered in Brussels for the CITA RAG Europe Conference 2026, a key annual meeting of the European Regional Advisory Group (RAG) of CITA. The conference attracted a very strong participation from across Europe, with the meeting room filled to capacity with representatives from inspection organisations, authorities, technical experts and stakeholders from across the vehicle compliance ecosystem.
The two-day event provided an important forum for expert analysis, exchange of views and strategic discussions on the evolving challenges facing vehicle inspection systems, authorities and operators in Europe.
The conference was opened by CITA President Gerhard Müller, who welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of maintaining a human-centred approach to mobility as technology continues to transform vehicles and transport systems. While automation, electrification, connectivity and artificial intelligence are reshaping the automotive landscape, he stressed that innovation must serve society, ensuring that mobility remains safe, inclusive and environmentally sustainable. He highlighted that the work of vehicle inspection organisations plays a critical role in maintaining public trust in new technologies and ensuring vehicles remain safe and environmentally compliant throughout their lifecycle.
The President also underlined the importance of continuing efforts to improve road safety worldwide, noting that the objectives of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety remain challenging and require stronger commitment from all stakeholders.
Throughout the conference, participants reviewed the latest developments affecting vehicle compliance and roadworthiness systems in Europe. Discussions on the first afternoon focused on strategic and regulatory developments, including:
The revision of the EU Roadworthiness Package and its implications for vehicle inspections in Europe
Technical findings on vehicle defects and their impact on road safety
Updates on vehicle data access, including the revision of Annex X of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, developments regarding the eCall Regulation and the EU Data Act
New work on software integrity checks throughout the vehicle lifecycle
Requirements for data access to enable testing of ADAS during periodic technical inspections
Environmental issues were also prominently addressed, with discussions on Euro 7 developments, on-board monitoring, and emerging emission testing approaches, including NOx and remote sensing proposals.
On the evening of 17 March, participants gathered in the centre of Brussels for the official presentation of the CITA Annual Report 2025.
Hosted as an informal networking event, the gathering provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the key achievements and milestones of the past year, while also discussing future priorities for CITA and its members. The convivial setting encouraged exchanges among colleagues from across Europe and strengthened the sense of community within the CITA family.
The second day of the conference was dedicated to technical developments and operational practices in vehicle inspection. Experts presented ongoing work in CITA Topic Areas and Task Forces covering areas such as:
Suspension testing methods and automatic play detection technologies
Developments within UNECE working groups on vehicle inspection
Electromechanical braking systems and parking lock devices
AI-powered anomaly detection for inspection processes
Updates on quality management and the evolution of ISO 17020 standards
Task force updates on ADAS, electric vehicles and type approval developments
These discussions highlighted how digitalisation and new vehicle technologies are reshaping inspection methods, requiring continuous adaptation of testing procedures and regulatory frameworks.
In his closing remarks, CITA President Gerhard Müller highlighted the strong engagement of CITA members working through Topic Areas and Task Forces, whose collaboration is essential to developing effective inspection solutions for increasingly complex vehicles. He reaffirmed CITA’s commitment to modern, meaningful and impartial vehicle inspections worldwide, ensuring that vehicles remain safe and environmentally sound throughout their lifecycle.
The President also emphasised that implementing the revision of the Roadworthiness Package in line with the European Commission’s proposal will be a key step toward adapting inspection systems to the rapid technological evolution of vehicles.
The CITA RAG Europe Conference 2026 once again demonstrated the importance of cooperation among inspection organisations, authorities and technical experts in addressing the challenges of modern mobility. Through open discussions, technical exchanges and networking among members, the conference reinforced CITA’s role as a global platform for advancing safe and clean road transport.
Participants left Brussels with renewed momentum to continue working together to ensure that vehicle inspection systems remain fit for the future of increasingly digital, automated and electrified vehicles.
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.
Teknika Bereziak is a company founded in 1997 and owner of the Centralauto® brand; they specialize in the design, manufacture and development of automotive machinery and software solutions. Based in Gernika (Northern Spain), they are experts in the manufacturing of emission testing equipment (Gas analyzer, opacimeter and particle counter), plate brake testers, OBD (with OBFCM compliance), achometry, speedometers and others.
Their competitive advantages are two: First, technical service; as manufacturers and designers, they possess the expertise and spare parts to provide an instant response through our technical service, eliminating downtime and minimizing repair costs. Secondly, R&D department adapts their products and software to the constant changes in PTI standards, regulations, or workshop needs.
Founded in 1996 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2015, Nanhua Instruments Co., Ltd., headquartered in Foshan, China, is a high-tech public enterprise operating from a state-of-the-art 43,000 m² manufacturing facility. As a leading manufacturer of vehicle inspection equipment in China with three decades of industry expertise, we specialize in providing comprehensive automotive inspection systems for Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI). Our extensive product range includes emission analyzers, headlight testers, brake testers, side slip testers, and more. This comprehensive portfolio allows us to offer true one-stop solutions for vehicle inspection stations, workshops, and vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
What truly sets Nanhua apart is our uncompromising commitment to full-stack integration and independent operations. Unlike mixed-vendor assembled systems, every piece of our equipment and software are independently researched, developed, manufactured, distributed, and serviced in-house. This complete end-to-end control ensures seamless, native compatibility between our robust hardware and intelligent software, resulting in unmatched system stability and rock-solid reliability even under high-volume testing conditions. Backed by stringent international certifications including CE and ISO, our accurate and durable solutions are deeply trusted across China and successfully exported to markets across the globe.
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