Editing Vehicle (section)

=== European Union ===
In the European Union the classifications for vehicle types are defined by:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s06021.htm |title=Scadplus: Technical Harmonisation For Motor Vehicles |publisher=Europa.eu |access-date=8 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015125920/http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s06021.htm |archive-date=15 October 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A31970L0156 |title=Document 31970L0156 - Council Directive 70/156/EEC |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tuev-sued.de/uploads/images/1134986896205242531101/001116e.pdf |title=Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410182432/http://www.tuev-sued.de/uploads/images/1134986896205242531101/001116e.pdf |archive-date=10 April 2008 |access-date=22 July 2018 |work=[[Official Journal of the European Communities]] |date=21 January 2002 }}</ref>
* Directive 2002/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 March 2002 relating to the type-approval of two or three wheeled motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 92/61/EEC

European Community is based on the Community's WVTA (whole vehicle type-approval) system. Under this system, manufacturers can obtain certification for a vehicle type in one Member State if it meets the EC technical requirements and then market it EU-wide with no need for further tests. Total technical harmonization already has been achieved in three vehicle categories (passenger cars, motorcycles, and tractors) and soon will extend to other vehicle categories ([[Coach (vehicle)|coaches]] and [[utility vehicle]]s). It is essential that European car manufacturers be ensured access to as large a market as possible.

While the Community type-approval system allows manufacturers to fully benefit fully from internal market opportunities, worldwide technical harmonization in the context of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ([[UNECE]]) offers a market beyond European borders.