Stark Warnings from SMMT for Commercial Van Bodybuilders
Tuesday 10 April 2012 Back to Blog
New legislation from the European Union (EU) could create headaches and even result in van conversion firms going out of business, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) who believe without bodybuilders making preparation the new European Whole Vehicle type Approval rules could spell disaster for many UK bodybuilder companies.
SMMT's boss Paul Everitt said: "Whole vehicle type approval ensures that technical and safety standards are met across Europe, but businesses could be at risk if they don't prepare now."
One of the reasons for the stark warnings for businesses which make their living from converting small and medium sized commercial vans into dropside and tipper vans will need to be aware of and implement over a 100 pieces of information concerning safety and technical elements where bodybuilder conversions for vans are concerned.
The new rules will also apply to specially adapted vehicles such as ambulances, motor caravans, hearses, armoured vehicles, and wheelchair accessible vans with 8 seats or more which to continue operating will have to adhere and adopt the new legislation.
To make this task somewhat easier, and in recognition of how difficult this may prove to be, SMMT have released an interactive guide called SENTA, which is an acronym for SMMT's European and National Type Approval which has been designed to explain the new regulations and to make managing the implementation easier.
The guide features legislation and documentation, and a library of documentation to offer assistance to bodybuilders. The guide is free to members and £900 to non members.