Our laboratory is appointed by the Republic of Armenia as ICAS Technical Service under the 1958 Agreement and the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe — technical service code 55/C, appointment No. 194-2, categories A, B, C and D, 146 UN Regulations.
A type approval obtained in Armenia bearing the E55 mark is recognised by all Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement — more than 60 countries, including the member states of the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Türkiye.
WP.29 is the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations, a working body of the Inland Transport Committee of the UNECE, operating since 1952. It is the only intergovernmental platform in the world where harmonised technical requirements for wheeled vehicles, their systems, components and separate technical units are developed and adopted. WP.29 administers three international agreements.
The technical work is conducted in six working parties: GRSG — general safety provisions, GRSP — passive safety, GRVA — automated and connected vehicles, GRPE — pollution and energy, GRBP — noise and tyres, GRE — lighting and light-signalling.
For the Republic of Armenia the Contracting Party number is 55 and the approval mark is E55. We determine and agree the content, position and method of applying the mark.
Schedule 2 to the 1958 Agreement defines four categories of activity for which a technical service is appointed. The requirements include demonstrating competence, impartiality and resources, among them compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 for testing activity.
Tests prescribed by the UN Regulations in the technical service's own facilities and laboratories.
Supervision of tests prescribed by the UN Regulations where they are performed in the facilities of the manufacturer or of a third party.
Assessment and regular monitoring of the manufacturer's procedures for ensuring conformity of production.
Performing tests and inspections, or supervising them, for the purposes of conformity of production.
ICAS Technical Service is appointed for all four categories — A, B, C and D: from testing in its own laboratory and supervision of testing at the manufacturer's site to assessment of the conformity of production system and control of serial products.
The coverage includes almost the entire body of UN Regulations in force for wheeled vehicles — from basic requirements for light signalling and braking to cybersecurity, software updates and automated driving systems.
For each UN Regulation, within the categories of appointment, we perform: testing in our own laboratory (A), supervision of testing in the facilities of the manufacturer or a third party (B), assessment and regular monitoring of conformity of production procedures (C), testing and inspection for the purposes of conformity of production (D), and the issue of test reports and materials for the type approval Communication, its extension, refusal, withdrawal and production definitively discontinued. The full list of Regulations with the substantive scope of work is available on request.