Testing Department
The Testing Department is responsible for the test, inspection and verification activities carried out at the RAR technical centers in Voluntari (Ilfov) and Merișani (Argeș) in order to evaluate the general safety of vehicles, pollutant emissions, fuel consumption or ADAS systems, under controlled conditions from the laboratory, on the test track or in real traffic conditions.
The Romanian Automotive Register (RAR), through the Testing department, is notified by the Government of Romania to the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations (UN) and to the European Commission in the capacity of the technical service for the homologation and market supervision of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as of the systems, components and separate technical units intended for the respective vehicles in accordance with the UN Agreement of 1958 on the adoption of harmonized technical regulations for road vehicles, their components and the conditions for the mutual recognition of approvals granted on the basis thereof and Regulation (EU) 2018/ 858. A Technical Service is an organization or body designated by the approval authority as a testing laboratory to carry out tests or as a conformity assessment body to carry out initial assessment and other tests or inspections.
The Testing Department is the technical entity within the RAR that has the following activities attributions:
- Fulfilling the role of Technical Service for the type and individual approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, agricultural or forestry vehicles, two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles as well as the systems, components and separate technical units used for them in accordance with a framework regulation, European Union regulation or UN regulation, including EU or national small series type and individual approvals for agricultural or forestry tractors (category T and C), agricultural or forestry trailers (category R), interchangeable towed equipment agricultural or forestry (category S);
- Carrying out the necessary tests and checks in the RAR processes for product certification or authorization of economic agents for constructive changes made to vehicles;
- Determination of fuel consumption and performance of electric and hybrid propulsion systems;
- Carrying out tests for third parties with the aim of using the results obtained and the conclusions of the test report in various stages of the development or research of a solution belonging to the field of road vehicles;
- Star classification of coaches carrying out tourist transport in domestic and international traffic and public transport in international traffic.
The legislative framework is defined by:
Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as systems, components and separate technical units intended for the respective vehicles, with subsequent amendments and additions.
Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 on requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with regard to their general safety and the protection of vehicle occupants and users vulnerable roads, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858.
Regulation (EU) 2020/683 for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 as regards the administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, as well as systems, components and separate technical units intended for those vehicles.
MTIC order no.2224/2020 of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communications, for the approval of the Regulations regarding the type approval and issuance of the identity card of road vehicles, as well as the type approval of the products used in them – RNTR 2, with subsequent amendments and additions.
Order no. 1.224/M.219/2021 of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, acting, and of the Minister of National Defense for the approval of the Regulations on the national homologation of road vehicles designed and manufactured or modified to be used exclusively by the armed forces, with subsequent amendments and additions.
Regulation (EU) 168/2013 – regarding approval and market surveillance for two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles, with subsequent amendments and additions.
Regulation (EU) 167/2013 – regarding approval and market surveillance for agricultural and forestry vehicles, with subsequent amendments and additions.
1958 UN Agreement concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions applicable to wheeled vehicles, equipment and components that can be mounted or used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for mutual recognition of approvals issued on the basis of these prescriptions.
TRANS/WP29/343, revision in force – The situation with regard to the 1958 UN Agreement, the Annexed Regulations and their amendments.
Classification of tests
The Testing Department, through the three component laboratories, performs tests for road vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units intended for the respective vehicles in accordance with the applicable normative documents, as follows:
- Pollutant Emissions and Consumption Testing Laboratory, performs WLTP tests for the Euro 6e pollution norm, PEMS tests in real traffic conditions, determinations of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, checks applied to the propulsion system of electric vehicles;
- General and Passive Safety Testing Laboratory, responsible for tests on the strength of structures, seat and seat belt anchorages, lighting systems, protrusions, interior design etc.;
- Active Safety and Advanced Systems Testing Laboratory, carries out dynamic activities on the test track to verify ADAS functions, braking, suspension and steering systems, acceleration and handling performance etc.
Activities that cannot be performed using the test infrastructure available at own locations, or at the express request of the customer to ensure a higher level of confidentiality (prototypes before market launch), can be performed at the facilities of the manufacturer or an evaluated third party of personnel from the Testing Department.
The testing process consists of:
– Receipt and analysis of test orders;
– Nomination of the internal testing laboratory, appointment of the test manager and opening of the test file;
– Documentation check (complete, clear, compliant with the regulatory act);
– Worst case selection analysis;
– Selection of test place, necessary test equipment and their verification;
– Test product scheduling for receipt at the laboratory;
– Technical verification of the product and acceptance for tests;
– Verification of product compliance with its technical documentation;
– Consultation of specific procedure, regulatory act, instructions, preparation of test report form for primary registrations;
– Test preparation (product, test equipment, test place) and verification of compliance with specific conditions;
– Test performance, evaluation of obtained results and verification of test correctness and estimation of measurement uncertainty;
– Delivery of the product to the customer;
– Preparation of test report, verification and attestation of compliance, approval and approval;
– Submission of test report and customer satisfaction evaluation questionnaire, after payment of the expense estimate;
– Data collection and trial file archiving for the required period.
Photo gallery
Testing Department
Address: Bucharest – 010719, district 1,
Calea Griviţei no. 391A
Tel.:
021 318.17.43
021 202.70.07
E-mail:
Voluntari, jud. Ilfov, Strada Bârsei no. 1
Tiberiu MELENCU
Head of Tests Department Deputy
E-mail: di@rarom.ro