Change of government approach after 12 months of negotiations
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Communications (DITRDC) recently revised its approach to component type approvals (CTAs), which has been welcomed by the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) after about a year of negotiations.
The regulation of CTAs under the RVS legislation will take a new line to the treatment of component registration numbers (CRNs) and sub-assembly registration numbers (SARNs) registered in the Road Vehicle Certification System (RVCS).
A CTA is not mandatory and is something that a manufacturer or supplier can choose to apply for.
“However, having a component type approval is one way to demonstrate compliance with the applicable national road vehicle standards (Australian Design Rules) for vehicle components used in the manufacture or modification of a road vehicle,” the DITRDC stipulates.
HVIA national manager policy and government relations Greg Forbes thanks the department for responding positively to industry concerns.
How the RVS matter unfolded a year ago, here
“HVIA facilitated a meeting between key component suppliers and the department at last year’s Brisbane Truck Show to express our concerns,” Forbes says.
“We were alarmed by the potential cost to industry of converting existing CRNs and SARNS across to the component type approvals used under the new Road Vehicle Standards Act.
“The department had proposed an approach which would have disqualified many test results conducted under the old Motor Vehicle Standards Act.
“That would have resulted in millions of dollars of retesting and substantial delays in getting components registered under the new scheme.
“HVIA has worked hard on building the relationship with the department and to their credit they have listened to industry’s concerns.
“It has taken a year, but we have managed to land on an approach which the key suppliers agree should be workable.”
HVIA says it will continue to work closely with DITRDC and members on some CTA details and other elements of the RVSA.
“We are also encouraging relevant members to assist the Department in testing their new software system, Rover, which will support the new legislation,” Forbes adds.
The department is aiming to start receiving applications for CTAs in late September.
The guidelines to CTAs document is available here.