Policy development Part 6: Adaptation of existing regimes Type approval
The process for checking that vehicles, their systems and their components comply with applicable safety and environmental standards is a well-established process for conventional vehicles (known as Vehicle Type Approval). Many of the requirements that apply in GB Type Approval are set at an international level at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which provides harmonisation of vehicle standards, meaning a manufacturer can be approved once for access to multiple markets. Where UNECE standards are not in place, Great British standards can be developed.
	The Law Commissions recommended that the Secretary of State should establish a domestic self-driving vehicle technical approval scheme to approve vehicles with self-driving features which do not have UNECE approvals and which are intended for use on Great British roads.
	Type approval differs from the authorisation stage in Part 1 as the approval process is needed to register a vehicle with the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency based on it meeting specific technical requirements, whereas authorisation determines whether a vehicle meets the self-driving test and, therefore, whether legal responsibilities change.
	The Act grants power to the Secretary of State to amend the assimilated type approval frameworks. This is to ensure that type approval can be issued for self-driving vehicles which do not, for example, have a driver's seat or driver's controls. These amendments to requirements, include for example vehicle categories and definitions..
	Specific technical provisions are also required for the automated driving system (responsible for controlling the automated vehicle) and amendments can include ongoing obligations in order to ensure the continued on-road safety of self-driving vehicles. For example, changes in traffic rules or the emergence of new cyber-security vulnerabilities may require the manufacturer to take action such as issuing software updates.
	The power also enables the Secretary of State to set requirements for manufacturers to have in place appropriate management systems covering safety, security, and software updates for vehicles. Management systems are frameworks consisting of the manufacturer’s policies, processes, documentation, standards, toolsets and competencies of personnel which cover the activities around the safety and security of a vehicle throughout its life.