As of 29 October 2012, trailer manufacturers and dealers must seek permission to supply consents from VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) for large goods trailers and semi-trailers before they can enter service.
Consent to Supply documents have been available on a voluntary basis since the start of this month from the agency, but they become mandatory in the autumn.
According to the SMMT (the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), as part of the procedure, trailer manufacturers must also be able to prove that the trailer is type approved.
Categories of trailer affected include: O2 (subject to plating and testing and having a maximum mass exceeding 0.75 tonnes, but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes); O3 (maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not 10 tonnes); and O4 (maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes).
SMMT advises that to achieve type approval quickly, manufacturers should use the online SENTA tool, developed by the SMMT.
The online guide is free to SMMT members and directs the user through the type approval process to produce the required documentation. For more information about the SENTA tool, use the link below.
