Changes to Rigid Chassis GB Type Approval | Jan 2025

From January 1, 2025, changes to type approval regulations will affect how rigid chassis vehicles and their bodies are approved. These changes focus on aligning the approval designations for truck chassis and bodies, and they will have important implications for customers.

Understanding Dual Approval

Before January 1, 2025, it was possible to achieve "dual approval," where a truck chassis with an EU type approval (identified by an "e" prefix) could be paired with a body that had a GB type approval (identified by a "g" prefix).

For vehicle types defined before January 1, 2025, dual approval is still permitted under a derogation period until August 1, 2026. However, this only applies to pre-existing types.

Key Change: New Types Must Align

From January 1, 2025, if either the truck OEM or the bodybuilder (or both) defines a new type (i.e. changes the design or components which require re-definition of the "type"), the approval numbers for both the truck (Stage 1 approval) and the body (Stage 2 approval) must align:

Both must have GB approval numbers (g prefix) for vehicles destined for the GB market.
If the truck has an EU approval number (e prefix), the body must also have an EU approval number.

Failure to align these approval numbers will require the vehicle to undergo additional approval processes before it can be placed on the market.

OEM Positions: DAF and Renault

Truck manufacturers such as DAF and Renault have confirmed they will no longer alter approval designations for truck chassis:

DAF: No changes permitted after January 2025.
Renault: No changes permitted after Week 9, 2025.

This means that for trucks with EU approval numbers, if the bodybuilder defines a new type with a GB approval number, it will not be possible to align the designations. In such cases, the final vehicle would need to undergo additional, costly approval processes.

Implications for Customers

Additional Costs: Misaligned approval numbers could result in significant costs and delays due to the additional approval processes.
Chassis Ordering: Customers should ensure that dealerships order truck chassis with the correct GB or EU approval to align with the bodybuilder's approval.
Responsibility: Don-Bur will not be held responsible for additional approval costs which will be passed to the customer.

Our Advice

Karl Forster, Engineering Manager at Don-Bur, explains:

“It’s essential to review your chassis orders carefully and ensure approval numbers align to avoid unexpected costs or delays. We’re here to help guide you through these changes and ensure your operations remain unaffected.”

For further information or questions, please contact us.

Chat with us online now