Vehicle parts and accessories

• Regulation (EU) 2018/858 — Vehicle type approval
• UNECE regulations
• Regulation (EU) 2023/988 — GPSR

Who has to appoint one

Sellers outside the Union placing parts and accessories on the EU market, whether safety-critical or not.

Thresholds and exemptions

Safety-critical parts require type approval regardless of quantity. Non-regulated accessories fall under GPSR.

What must appear on the label

E-mark or e-mark approval number for approved parts, manufacturer and responsible person details, part number and batch identification.

Marketplace fields

Marketplaces block listings of lighting, braking and tyre products without an approval number.

Documentation you must hold

Type approval certificate where applicable, technical documentation, conformity of production evidence, and the GPSR risk analysis for the rest.

Standards and testing

UNECE test protocols per component type, such as R90 for brake parts and R37 or R128 for lamps.

Language requirements

Fitting instructions and warnings in the language of each member state of sale.

When it applies

Approval before placing on the market.

How long records are kept

10 years.

What happens if you do not comply

Withdrawal, prohibition of sale and liability exposure after accidents. Non-approved lighting is one of the most seized categories at EU borders.

Who enforces it

National type approval authorities and market surveillance.

Where the boundary lies

A responsible person cannot substitute for type approval. Parts marketed 'for off-road use only' are still treated as road parts if the listing shows them fitted to road vehicles.

Questions we are asked

Are floor mats and phone holders regulated?

They fall under GPSR, so a responsible person and documentation are needed, but no type approval.