RVSA Roadmap
The RVSA commences in full on 1 July 2021. There will then be 24-month transitional period meaning that all Low ATM Trailer (Light Trailer) Manufacturers and Importers MUST be completely operating under the RVSA by 30 June 2023.
It is important to note that there is significant work involved with getting ready to be eligible to get RVSA type approvals – so it is critical that this is not left to the last minute.
Click on the arrow on the left to expand the topics:
1. Australian Design Rules (ADRs) identification
What to do:
In order to prove full ADR compliance, you should first identify the relevant ADRs applicable to your towable product remembering that the RVSA only applies to the road vehicle compliance aspects of a Caravan – so essentially the trailer that the Caravan is then built upon. ADRs relevant to Trailers are available in the Department’s website which can be accessed by clicking here.
For guidance on the most common ADRs relevant to towable product click here.
For further information, please click here and look under the heading “Australian Design Rules (ADRs)”.
2. ADR evidence of compliance
What to do:
You will need to have all the required information and relevant supporting documentation to confirm that your towable product complies with the applicable ADRs. These documentations will cover, but not limited to, ADR-related components (eg. Reflectors – ADR 47, Drawbars – ADR 62), vehicle dimensions (eg. ADR 43), vehicle markings (eg. ADR 61) and installations (eg. Lamps and Reflectors – ADR 13, Tyres – ADR 95, General Safety Requirements – ADR 42).
For guidance on the ADRs and expected detail of evidence to support compliance relevant to towable recreational vehicles – CLICK HERE.
To know more about compliance to the ADRs, refer to Guide to Vehicle Type Approvals for Low ATM Trailers which can be accessed here.
3. CoP (QMS system)
What to do:
A key element of being eligible to obtain Vehicle Type Approvals (including Low ATM Trailers) will be in your ability to prove you have adequate control over all stages of design, componentry, and manufacture of the Recreational Vehicles you are producing/ supplying. In other words, you will need to have some form of Quality Management System (QMS) in place to demonstrate that you have effective control on Conformity of Production.
So, in terms of the RVSA eligibility criteria, how will you demonstrate that you have effective control on Conformity of Production? This will need to take the form of:
- Current ISO 9001 accreditation with a scope relevant to the design and manufacture of road vehicles; or
- A relevant and current Quality Management System (QMS).
Record keeping
In order to be eligible to apply for a Vehicle Type Approval, the Manufacturer or Importer must have the ability to access all versions of this supporting information while their approval is in force and for 7 years after it ceases to be in force. This supporting information must be kept up to date at all times and must be amended whenever there is a change to the design, the componentry or the manufacturing process that could affect compliance with the ADRs.
The Department has provided detailed guidance material on the expected details required of a Quality Management System (QMS) in Appendix 2 and a QMS Summary of Measures and Actions Used to Demonstrate Control in Appendix 3 of the Guide to Vehicle Type Approvals for Low ATM Trailer 4.5t ATM or Less
For motorised recreational vehicle guidance, click the Department’s Guide to Vehicle Type Approvals webpage.
For more information on Conformity of Production click here.
4. Set up your account in ROVER
What to do:
Go to the Rover Portal to set up your account.
For further information please visit Rover resources.
5. Apply for Vehicle Type Approval for all Vehicle categories produced
What to do:
To apply for a vehicle type approval, you must complete an online application form through ROVER (Road Vehicle Regulator) providing all of the required information, documents and declaration.
For more information, head to the Approval Process for Low ATM Trailers or Approval Process for Motorhomes.
6. Start to use the new Vehicle Plate ADR61/03
What to do:
Once you have transitioned to the RVSA, you need to use the new Vehicle Plate as per ADR61/03. Towable products built under MVSA during the transition period must continue to use the current Vehicle Plate as per ADR61/02.
For more information on these changes – click here.
7. Federal Regulators (VSS) to have access to facilities within Australia or abroad
What to do:
Once you obtain your RVSA type approval you must be able to (or have the authority to) arrange for Federal Government Vehicle Inspectors to inspect the premises where the Caravans (or relevant components) are manufactured.
This is another key criteria of obtaining your approvals, so make sure you have all suitable agreements in place to allow this to take place.
8. RAV entry of all product produced
What to do:
Under the RVSA the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) is an online, publicly searchable database of vehicles (including Trailers approved for use on Australian roads).
The details of every vehicle and Trailer approved for road use in Australia will be entered on the RAV. This means, as a business you will need to understand this process in detail to ensure that once you have your RVSA type approvals you know how to enter all of your Light Trailers (e.g. Caravans) onto the RAV.
For more information on the RAV – click here.
8a. VIN Submissions to NEVDIS
What to do:
Approval holders must provide VINs to NEVDIS for each vehicle covered by a Vehicle Type Approval. VINs may be submitted at any stage of a vehicle’s manufacture. However, this should happen before any RAV submission as it is a prerequisite step for a successful RAV submission. More information can be found here.