Homologation Dissertation 1

[mikehreynolds]

I am studying Technology Management at Oxford Brookes Uni, and am currently in my fourth year. I am currently writing my dissertation on 'Homologation', the main reason for this post is to try and gain as much information on this topic as possible, I already have quite a lot of research material, but any hints and links to organisations etc would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Mike Reynolds

 

[Joewski]

Hmm never heard of the term Homologation so I looked it up at winki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homologation

And found,
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In today's marketplace, for instance, products must often be homologated by some public agency to assure that they meet standards for such things as safety and environmental impact. A court action may also sometimes be homologated by a judicial authority before it can proceed, and the term has a precise legal meaning in the law codes of some countries.

In the project of the European Union, the word is used in those papers that are direct translations from French to refer to the processes of making trade standards and laws consistent throughout the whole of the union. British journalists usually prefer to use the term harmonisation for this purpose.
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Ok now we know what your talking about, (I hope) what exactly are you looking for.

I mean this business of homologation is really just describling the process of meeting laws and regulations.

In our country Australia, there is destinction between a law, a regulation, a standard and a code of practice, licenses, qualifications to practise.

So what are you writing about specifiically? I mean it seems a really broad subject anyway.

I'm sorry but I can't see the average engineer being able to help with this, but then again I may be wrong.

best regards,

Joewski
Melbourne, Australia.

 

[mikehreynolds]

well am writing a general overview of what is homologation, where is it important, what its applications are, and then going into more specifics in terms of the automotive industry. Also what organistations regulate homologation and how the implementation could be simplified.

Mike

 

[GregLocock]

Research "Homologation Harmonisation"

I kid you not.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[zeusfaber]

You might try getting in touch with:

Vehicle certification Agency - Government body which does what it says on the tin. -

http://www.vca.gov.uk

Ricardo Special Vehicles - have done vehicle homologation work in the past for some of our contractors - pick up useful links to the right bit of the organisation through

http://www.the-dma.org.uk/members/details.asp?Type=1&ID=2862

MIRA - currently selling their certification services quite hard -

http://www.mira.co.uk

also perhaps Millbrook (

http://www.millbrook.co.uk).

A.

 

[IceStationZebra]

You could write a very large book describing how the slightly different laws between countries costs companies billions of dollars a year. There is USA vs ISO, individual European countries vs ISO, etc. There is even California vs non-California USA vs European vs Japanese smog laws.

The areas are almost boundless. Fastener standards, crash testing, engine emissions, standard steel sizes/thicknesses, lighting standards, LH vs RH drive, drawing standards, oil types, fuel standards, battery sizes, liscence plate size, sound levels, fuel economy tests, etc.

Outside of auto industy: household voltage, TV broadcast standard, food standards, clothing sizes, shoe sizes, standard currency, - just to name a few.

 

[rmw]

And then, with the things you use every day, TV Remotes, microwave ovens, gasoline pumps, etc, there is no standardization whatasoever.

rmw

 

[jarrowlass]

Global harmonisatin of standards is a long way off. In Europe we have to prove compliance to the individual directives laid out in the framwork directive. For M1 category vehicles EWVTA (European Whole Vehicle Type approval) is required. For N1, LGV's currently new legislation dates are awaited for these vehicles to come under the WVTA. Once WVTA is received the vehicle receives a birth certificate, COC (Certificate of Conformity) which allows registration in EU States and others on a case by case basis.

Fedral FMVSS is self certifying which means they do not have to test infront of an authority as in Europe. Other global requirements vary. For instance Saudi requirements are unique in that they are a mixutre of Fedral and European.

Basically the vehicle off the line has to be the same as that Homologates, complaince proved to the authority. It is imperative that the Design Engineers inform the Homologation Dept of any changes for the impact to be considered, testing, or paper application. For instance the change to a radius of a door handle could make a part non compliant.

Plants are approved to ISO 9000 series, which bakes in how they have processes to ensure compliance.

There is vehicle and component Homologation. Components such as tyres, glass, horn, seat belts as approved by the supplier and then covered in the manufactures vehicle application. These components receive an 'e' mark, and if this changes due to new seat belt retractor, this must be considered or the vehicle could be non compliant.

Electrical equipment fitted has to conform to the EMC requirements, (Electronic Magnetic Compatibility) EC 95/56 as do all equipment. Raios, rear park systems, navis etc.

Directives can be found on the EU comission website, heavy going.

It is an involved process, not sure which aspects you wish to cover. Advise and I can maybe help out.