Component type approvals (CTAs)
Component Type Approvals are a form of approval introduced under the Road Vehicle Standards Act legislation which cover individual road vehicle components being supplied to the Australian market.
What are Component Type Approvals?
A Component Type Approval is an approval for a road vehicle component against one or more Australian Design Rules. It can be used for any Road Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) or model report application.
A Component Type Approval is the new pathway for supplying approved road vehicle components and replaces the Component Registration Number (CRN) and Sub Assembly Registration Number (SARN) approvals which were processed through the Road Vehicle Certification System.
A Component Type Approval can only be granted for a complete assembly, for example a CTA cannot be granted for brake lining but can be granted for a complete braking system.
What are the Component Type Approval Requirements?
For a road vehicle component to be granted a Component Type Approval, they will need to satisfy the following criteria:
Evidence of Compliance
All component type approval holders must be able to demonstrate that their road vehicle component complies with the applicable Australian Design Rule(s). Compliance with each of the ADRs can be demonstrated in a number of ways:
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) approval - an approval granted to the EU type approval requirements which are an equivalent standard to many of the ADRs present, such as lighting. Suppliers can provide this certificate instead of having a Component Type Approval, however for many
ADR testing results - test results compiled by a test facility registered under the RVS legislation with a Test Facility Approval (TFA) number
Information supporting a declaration or thing covered by a national road vehicle standard - this includes any documentation such as technical drawings, calculations, reports etc which may be used to demonstrate compliance with a particular ADR.
A component type approval can cover one or more components which are covered by the same ADR evidence as a worst case scenario. For example, a reflector which can be stuck on or bolted on may be able to use the same evidence.
Quality Management System (QMS)
All component type approval holders must have a Quality Management System in place to ensure that they have appropriate measures in place to demonstrate control over all aspects of the manufacture and supply of a road vehicle component. An ISO9001 approved QMS for the particular type of component being manufactured is recognised under the RVS legislation but is not mandatory. More information on requirements of a QMS can be found here.
Fitting Instructions
Component type approval holders must provide use or fitting instructions when supplying the road vehicle component. This ensures that manufacturers installing the component are aware of the particular conditions that need to be met, such as bolting or wiring requirements.
Approval in the ROVER System
Once ADR evidence is generated and a QMS is present a manufacturer can submit an application for a Component Type Approval in the ROVER system. When completing the online application form, evidence must be uploaded for each ADR during the application. Other details must also be provided, such as the location(s) of the facilities for design and production of the road vehicles. Fitting instructions do not need to be supplied with a ROVER application but need to be present when providing the component to market.
After submitting an approval, the ROVER assessment team will review the application and may come back with Requests for Information (RFIs) to clarify any part of the application they would like further information on. Upon satisfying all of the requirements, a Component Type Approval is granted which can be searched for publicly on an online database present on the ROVER website. Any changes to the design which result in new compliance evidence being necessary must be uploaded as a variation.
What are the benefits of CTAs?
A Component Type Approval is not mandatory for a manufacturer of a road vehicle component, however it does have the benefit of being a positive selling point in simplifying the process of providing a Vehicle Type Approval or approved model report holder with Australian Design Rule evidence. If a Component Type Approval is held, the CTA number can be quoted to prospective users with the knowledge that
The component type approval holder has already had the component tested and approved
The component type approval holder has the Quality Management System in place required by the RVS legislation
The vehicle type approval holder does not need to hold any other supporting documentation, including worrying about design changes and updates that would require an updated test report.
If a Component Type Approval is not present, the VTA holder needs to ensure all of the above is kept up to date and on file with their application along with commercial agreements with the necessary component manufacturers enabling access to their documentation on request.
Why Choose BTT Engineering for component type approvals?
BTT Engineering has a detailed understanding of the RVS legislation and experience in a wide range of applications relevant to Component Type Approvals. As an RVS approved testing facility we are capable of testing various road vehicle components at our test facility, including towbars, couplings, drawbars, safety chain attachments, seats and mirrors to name a few. Our knowledge of ADRs for vehicle components enables us to make the CTA process as easy as possible for our clients.
The CTA Process
Clients going through the Component Type Approval process with BTT Engineering should expect the following workflow:
Initial discussion of requirements
Client supplies all available existing information to support approval
BTT Engineering to review information and identify any missing or potentially insufficient evidence
BTT liaises with client to determine the client's preferred method of attaining compliance to any ADRs not yet addressed
BTT Engineering arranges for the required ADR evidence to be generated
After being granted Authority to Act in ROVER, BTT submits the Component Type Approval application and handles any subsequent Requests for Information (RFIs) from the ROVER assessment team.
Client obtains Component Type Approval
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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No! A Component Type Approval is not mandatory, however having one can make the process of supplying evidence of compliance with the applicable ADRs easier
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All Component Type Approvals can be searched on the ROVER website. If an approval no longer exists it will be marked as suspended or revoked, meaning that you can't use the approval for a new compliance application.
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There is nothing stopping you from using parts which don't have a Component Type Approval, however to meet your own requirements as an approval holder you need to instead have evidence that the road vehicle component complies. You are also responsible for ensuring the evidence is valid!
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When searching for a Component Type Approval, you can click on any result and it will detail what ADRs the component complies with. Keep in mind that you must also follow the component manufacturer's fitting instructions.
Related services that we can help with
For further information on some of our particular ROVER services, please follow the links below: