Developing an automotive component is not only about making sure the product works as intended. When manufacturers and brand owners plan to introduce products to the global market, they also need to consider whether those products meet each target country’s regulatory requirements.
This is particularly important for automotive components that use wireless technology. Features such as keyless systems, Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), telematics control units, and vehicular radar sensors rely on radio frequency technology to communicate and operate.
Just because a product is technically ready does not mean it is ready to enter every market. Different countries may have different type approval requirements for wireless devices, including applicable frequency allocations, technical parameters, testing, and documentation.
For manufacturers, brand owners, importers, and distributors, type approval is more than just a requirement. It can affect how and when you can import, distribute, and market an automotive component in a particular country.
So, why is type approval important for automotive components in the global market?
1. Legal Market Access
You don’t want your products to be distributed illegally, do you? That’s why type approval certification is essential.
This certification is part of the regulatory requirements for legally accessing the target market. For automotive components that use wireless technology, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the products meet the applicable requirements before they are imported, distributed, or marketed.
The certification indicates that the product has been evaluated against applicable technical and regulatory requirements. Depending on the product and applicable requirements, the evaluation may also include safety and other requirements to ensure that the device does not cause harmful interference when in use.
It is a mistake to view type approval as only an administrative requirement at the end of the product development process. Type approval should be a key consideration when planning to market automotive components in a particular country.
2. Type Approval Can Be Model-Specific
Another important point to consider is that type approval may be specific to a particular model or product variant. A single type approval certificate does not automatically cover all products.
This means that obtaining a single type approval for an automotive component does not necessarily mean that the same approval will cover all other models or variants. Testing requirements will depend on product specifications, wireless technologies, frequencies, and other technical parameters.
Differences in certain aspects may affect the applicable requirements or the scope of approval. For example, differences in power level, antenna, firmware, or hardware revision may affect the applicable requirements or the scope of approval.
Products with similar functions may have different configurations. This is an important consideration for manufacturers and importers during the certification process when submitting multiple models or variants to the same target market.
Identifying product models and specifications from the outset is essential. This will help determine the applicable requirements and avoid issues when preparing multiple automotive components for the market.
3. Different Countries, Different Requirements
Manufacturers and importers need to understand that type approval certification obtained in one country does not automatically apply in another. This is because each country may have its own regulatory authorities and approval schemes for wireless devices.
Before marketing automotive components in a new target market, several requirements need to be checked. These include the product scope, frequency allocations, technical requirements, local testing requirements, and the documentation requested by the relevant authorities.
A product that has obtained type approval in one country may still need to undergo another approval process before it can be legally marketed in another country. For example, a product that has obtained type approval in Indonesia may still need to undergo a similar process in Vietnam.
This is because some markets may require local testing, while other markets may accept test reports from recognized foreign laboratories, subject to the applicable requirements. The acceptance of overseas test reports can also depend on the laboratory, accreditation, applicable scheme, and recognition arrangements in the target market.
The requirements applicable in each target country should be understood from the outset. This allows manufacturers and importers to prepare the appropriate samples, testing, and documentation for each market.
4. Avoiding Import and Distribution Delays
Type approval can also affect how quickly an automotive component can enter a new market. Failure to obtain the required certification can delay the import or distribution process.
For manufacturers and importers, this can certainly be a problem. When a product is ready for shipment, but the required certification or documentation is incomplete, the shipment may need to be postponed until all requirements are met.
The same can happen during the distribution process. Products that cannot yet be legally marketed in the target country may force distributors to postpone their launch until the necessary approvals are obtained.
Therefore, it is a mistake to view type approval as something that only needs to be addressed once the product is ready for shipment. The applicable requirements should be identified early on. This gives manufacturers and importers time to prepare the necessary testing, documentation, and approvals.
5. Avoiding Additional Costs
Failure to comply with type approval requirements can have a significant impact on the costs you’ll need to cover. Not understanding the requirements from the start can result in additional costs during the approval process.
There are many possible scenarios. Let’s take the example from the previous point. If a product has already been shipped but cannot be distributed due to certification issues, this can result in additional warehouse rental costs that you’ll have to cover.
Another example is a product that fails a test because it does not meet the applicable requirements. Additional samples may also need to be sent for specific tests. Documents may even need to be revised and resubmitted. In some cases, the product itself may need to be modified to meet the applicable requirements.
Additional costs may also arise from consultant or testing services when extra work is required. Delays in shipping or distribution can create further costs when the approval process takes longer than expected.
A thorough understanding of all requirements from the beginning can help minimize unnecessary testing, document revisions, product modifications, and other additional costs.