Conformity of Production (CoP) for manufacturers of vehicles or components
RDW may issue an EC/ECE type-approval as soon it is established that a manufacturer has followed the procedures of Framework Directives 2007/46/EC, Regulation (EU) 2018/858, 168/2013/EC, 167/2013/EC and/ or UN ECE Agreement 1958 correctly.
RDW verifies whether a manufacturer has taken adequate measures to guarantee that vehicles, systems, parts and technical units are produced conform to an approved type. This procedure is referred to as Conformity of Production (CoP).
Assessment of the production process
If you are a manufacturer of vehicles, systems, parts or technical units for the automotive sector, you have to has EC, ECE or national type-approvals in order to sell/register products in the EU and/or countries that have signed an ECE agreement.
As a manufacturer, you have to demonstrate that the products are produced in accordance with the type-approval concerned. In order to demonstrate CoP, the manufacturer has to submit the required documents to the RDW (see Initial Assessment (IA) in the Conformity of Production form).
The RDW assesses these documents for component manufactures. The RDW will issue a ‘Communication concerning the Initial Assessment’ if these satisfy the RDW’s requirements. This is how you, as a manufacturer, demonstrate that the RDW has assessed the production process and has accepted it for production in conformity with the relevant type-approval specifications.
For vehicle manufacturers, the RDW will make an appointment for an initial assessment audit upon receipt of the required documents (see audit).
Audit
At vehicle manufacturers, the RDW first conducts an on-site audit for an initial assessment. Component manufacturers are visited by the RDW for an on-site audit, within 15 months after the issue of the “Communication concerning the Initial Assessment”.
The RDW will issue a ‘Compliance Statement’ if the findings of this audit show that you produce/work in accordance with the applicable legislation.
You cannot apply for a type-approval without a valid ‘Communication concerning the Initial Assessment’ or a ‘Compliance Statement’.
Applying for a CoP or reporting changes
You can apply for a CoP or notify a
change using the Conformity ofProduction form.
This
form can also be requested via [email protected].
Surveillance of the production process
The RDW supervises approvals granted by it by means of:
- document assessment,
- audits and
- a product assessment if necessary.
How often
supervision takes place (frequency) depends on any provisions in respect
thereof in the legislation as well as a risk analysis carried out by the RDW.
The risk factors may consist, among other things, of the following:
- the absence of an ISO certificate,
- results from previous assessments,
- the nature of the product,
- the moment of the most recent audit,
- complaints and
- information concerning product deviations known to the RDW.
The RDW carries out the audits itself, but also has these carried out by RDW partners or technical services (category C) designated for this purpose by the RDW. This means that manufacturers may also be visited by these organisations instead of the RDW.
Maintenance costs
The RDW charges a contribution from manufacturers with the status of holder of valid EC (e4), ECE (E4) or national type-approvals. An explanation of the charge is provided in the Admission costs and Contribution fee. (pdf, 9kb)
More information
The information document for obtaining/retaining the CoP contains specific information on the requirements, assessments and procedures of the RDW. This document can be requested by sending an email to [email protected]