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EC Type Approval Standards
Witter are at the forefront of testing to the EC specification
requirements using computer controlled servo-hydraulic test
rigs which put towbars through a punishing two million cycle
fatigue test.
The requirements became mandatory under European Law from
the 1st January 1998 and were implemented in the UK on the
1st August 1998. This means only towbars Type Approved to
94/20 EC can be fitted to any light passenger vehicles first
registered on or after 1st August 1998. Our commitment to
these regulations has been ongoing for a number of years.
In 1995 we were awarded the first UK towbar Type Approval
number 00-0001. All new towbars for light passenger vehicles
are designed, tested and certified to 94/20 EC. For further
information on Type Approval please see our link to our Questions
and Answers.
European Directive 94/20 EC also specifies the dimensions,
locations and clearance of the 50mm towball. The centre of
the towball should be between 350mm and 420mm above the ground
when the vehicle is laden.
BS EN ISO 9001
As further proof of our commitment to quality, Witter have
full accreditation as a BS EN ISO 9001 Quality Assured Company.
This internationally recognised quality standard helps to
ensure that our towbars continue the tradition of excellence
established over 50 years ago.
EC Type Approval Q and A
Questions & Answers as applied in the UK
Q. Why was European Type Approval for towbars introduced?
A. Directive 94/20/EC was introduced as part of European Whole
Vehicle Type Approval to provide a common standard throughout
the European Community, thus creating an open market. Irrespective
of where a towbar has been manufactured, providing it has
been Type Approved, a customer will know that it has been
manufactured to a known technical and quality standard.
Q. What may happen if I don't fit a Type Approved towbar?
A. If your car is first registered on or after the 1st August
1998, you could be prosecuted for an infringement of Construction
& Use Regulations or your Insurers may decline to pay
out in the event of an accident claim. If you are unsure which
towbar to fit contact your local Witter specialist, who can
be found under National Stockists.
Q. I only tow a small trailer on rare occasions, surely I
don't need a type approved towbar?
A. YES. The towbar must be certified even if not used for
towing! Otherwise it does not comply with the Road Traffic
Act.
Q. Can I transfer a non approved towbar from my 1996 Vauxhall
Vectra to the new Vectra I am getting, which is registered
after August 1998, if I fit it myself?
A. NO. Only Type Approved towbars can be fitted to vehicles
that are registered on or after the 1st August 1998.
Q. Does 94/20/EC mean that I can only have a swan neck towbar
fitted as supplied by the vehicle manufacturers?
A. NO. A towbar with the popular two - hole flange ball faceplate
and towball made by an Independent towbar manufacturer can
be EC Type Approved. Witter already have a range of over 250
covering the vast majority of vehicle applications.
Q. I have a Ford KA and want to tow my small trailer but
nobody lists a towbar. Can I have one specially manufactured?
A. NO. When EC Type Approving the vehicle, the manufacturer
did not declare that it was suitable for towing. It therefore
has no specified towing capacity and no specified mounting
points. Towing with, or even the fitment of a towbar to any
such vehicle registered on or after the 1st August 1998 would
make you liable to prosecution.
Q. How can I find out if my new car or model variant, is
EC Type Approved for towing?
A. For a new car or model variant a definitive answer could
be obtained by examining the vehicle VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number) plate, which should have four figures stamped into
the lower edge denoting its carrying capacity.
VIN No. (known as chassis number)
XXXX kg -(Max vehicle weight)
XXXX kg -(Max train weight i.e. vehicle and trailer)
1. XXXX kg -(Max front axle load)
2. XXXX kg -(Max rear axle load)
If no train weight is specified then the vehicle is not approved
for towing, and therefore cannot legally do so. If a train
weight is specified then the towing weight is this figure
less the maximum vehicle weight The VIN plate is usually located
under the bonnet. However it can sometimes be elsewhere.
Q. Can I fit a Type Approved towbar myself or do I have to
go to an authorised fitter?
A. YES. You can fit the towbar yourself provided that it is
installed in accordance with the instructions provided, but
you may prefer a Witter specialist to carry out the complete
installation to include the often awkward towing electrics.
Q. How can I tell if a towbar is EC Type Approved?
A. It will have a label, data plate or stamping showing an
E No. (e.g. E11*0001*00). This figure denotes that it is EC
Approved in the UK (E11), has approval number (0001), of EC
Document revision 0. In fact this is a Witter type approval
for the Ssangyong Musso the first EC Approved UK towbar!
Q. I am going to buy a used 'S' registered Mondeo. The towbar
fitted is not Type Approved. What do I do.
A. Insist that the towbar is immediately removed and replaced
with one that is Type Approved. If you meet any resistance
report the matter to your local Trading Standards Office.
Q. I have a non EC Type Approved towbar on my 'P' registered
BMW 320 (an EC Type Approved vehicle, registered in the UK
in January 1997). Can I legally use the car to tow my caravan
to Germany?
A. YES. Although the EC Regulations are applied differently
and introduced at different times in different countries,
it is the country of registration that defines how and when
you comply with the relevant EC Regulations.
Q. If I have an accident whilst towing on the Continent using
a non EC Approved Towbar will I be liable to prosecution for
not having an EC Approved towbar?
A. NO. Provided the vehicle is registered in the UK before
the 1st August 1998. However, if the towbar is considered
to have contributed to causing the accident for reasons of
inadequacy e.g. a poor quality 'home made' unit, or obviously
incorrectly installed, then naturally prosecution may be a
possibility. Always fit a good quality product.
Q. My local motor dealer says that my warranty will be invalidated
unless I fit the manufacturer's towbar.
A. 94/20/EC was designed to create free trade. If you fit
a Witter Type Approved towbar it will not invalidate the vehicle
warranty. Under EC Block Exemption Rules a motor vehicle manufacturer
cannot prevent a franchised outlet from supplying or fitting
components deemed to be of equal quality to that supplied
by the vehicle manufacture - such as a Type Approved towbar.
Q. Can I fit a 'drop plate' to an EC Type Approved towbar?
A. Only if the towbar has been submitted and tested for EC
Type Approval using a 'drop plate'. Some Witter towbars for
4WD off road vehicles have been tested in this way, e.g. Range
Rover, Land Rover Discovery and Defender, the new Mitsubishi
Shogun and Mercedes M Class. Your local Witter specialist
will be pleased to advise you.
Q. Can I fit a cycle carrier or stabiliser between the towbar
faceplate and the towball, when the towbar is EC Type Approved?
A. YES. Witter towbars are tested with a minimum spacer of
25mm between the towball and the towbar.
Q. Must the towball have a separate EC Type Approval and
have a Type Approval number?
A. No. All Witter towbars have a specified towball part number
which has been tested and approved as a component of the towbar.
These have their own identification Z11. The identification
is clearly stamped on the top flat section of the towball,
set inside an outline of the Witter logo.
EC Type Approval At a Glance
Implementation date - 1st August 1998.
Applies to all passenger carrying vehicles from 'S' registration.
All towbars must carry a Type Approval label or plate, with
a Type Approval number.
Type Approved Towbars have been subjected to and passed a
2 million cycle push pull fatigue test.
Witter Type Approved towbars are certified by the UK Vehicle
Certification Agency.
Watch out for misleading labels. Ensure that the unique Type
Approval number is clearly marked on the label.
Type Approved towbars must fit to all of the vehicle manufacturers
designated mounting points.
Fitting a Type Approved towbar will not invalidate the vehicle
manufacturer's warranty.
Fitment of a non Type Approved towbar for a vehicle registered
'S' and onwards could result in prosecution.
If a non Type Approved towbar is fitted, the driver's insurance
may be invalidated in the event of an accident.
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