Brittnie Polhamus on Homologation Engineering at TÜV SÜD

MEET OUR MOBILITY TEAM

With a legacy spanning over a century in vehicle safety testing and certification, TÜV SÜD stands as the trusted partner for OEMs, automotive suppliers, government and transport authorities, car dealers, leasing, and fleet companies. We offer a comprehensive suite of mobility services, ensuring your product meets the highest automotive safety and quality standards.

Meet our Americas Mobility team, dedicated to servicing you. Our service portfolio encompasses the testing of vehicles, systems, and components, ISO 26262 functional safety, and international homologation, streamlining global access to key automotive markets. As your innovative solutions provider, we actively contribute to the development of safety regulations and standards, along with efficient automotive testing solutions, driving the future of mobility, including emissions testing technologies, autonomous and connected driving, e-mobility, and shared mobility.

HOMOLOGATION ENGINEERING AT TÜV SÜD

Brittnie Polhamus, Homologation Engineer at TÜV SÜD

TÜV SÜD's Homologation team contributes to vehicle safety by managing the Type Approval process and as such we verify that the components and systems meet the regulatory requirements, and that production is controlled to generate safe compliant products over many years. In Gap Analysis projects, we check every detail against the regulations and federal standards to verify compliance before final production vehicles are sold. Through COP inspections and other auditing services, the clients procedures and quality system is checked against International Standards or product specific standards (UNECE, for example) to ensure proper controls are in place to ensure compliance of the product or quality system over time.

As a Homologation Engineer at TÜV SÜD, I personally support the team by preparing ECE/EU Type Approval documentation for submittal to the Approval Authority, performing Conformity of Production (COP) inspections for the MoT Approval Body through partnership with TÜV Czech, witness testing as a technical expert of lighting equipment and crash/collision UNECE regulations, and use my 10 years of experience in testing of lighting equipment (to federal/regulatory standards) to provide expertise in this category (mainly in the form of a Gap Analysis for new vehicles). 

My specialization in lighting equipment is important and impactful as it supports the team to provide a full vehicle service (mainly in the form of Gap Analysis or component level Type Approvals). I have been designated to a relatively new role as an auditor for COP inspections (and other specialized quality management system audit requests). I have 7+ years of general experience with quality management system principles, auditing, and ISO requirements. I have been doing the COP inspections since January 2023.  

During testing and inspection processes, a big challenge faced by Homologation Engineers is client pressure, whether it be to use lower quality parts or to meet a deadline. Next, we act as a middle man, providing a supportive role in the process of customers getting their products to the market. This is difficult as it means that any I.E. Type Approval documentation must be submitted to an Approval Body for final certification. Also, Gap Analyses are supportive tools for customers to see where they are or are not compliant with the regulations, but we do not offer design opinions or consultation/advisement. We cannot be the final say on compliance, as that has to be the government of the country in which the vehicle will be sold in.  

My expertise in the field comes from 10 years of experience as a Project Engineer (testing) with approximately 5 years of that time in a part-time role of Quality Supervisor for my department. I also have 2 years with TÜV SÜD as a Homologation Engineer, and I am very dedicated to my specialization. Over these 2 years, I have felt many benefits of working with TÜV SÜD. The company has offered me great flexibility, working fully remote [with some travel] and allowing part-time/hourly. I am able to maintain a foothold in the automotive industry and my career path that started in 2011 due to this company and willingness to be flexible. I am routinely called upon in my areas of expertise (lighting, testing, and quality), which adds value to the Mobility group. In our team specifically, I fit into the puzzle of diverse expertise, that together we can provide a more complete service to the customers

TÜV SÜD'S EXPERTISE IN AUTOMOTIVE AND MOBILITY TESTING 

At TÜV SÜD, we stay up to date with the latest regulatory changes and requirements in the automotive industry through various means. Primarily, through collaboration with our overseas offices, extensive research, maintain effective communication channels with colleges and professional networks. The European region at times can be easier to find upcoming changes versus the United States.

TÜV SÜD currently has two engineers that are members of the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) lighting committee and will collaborate with other industry peers to stay informed. We monitor recall lists and determine missteps by manufacturers, this can also help gain insight into governmental expectations. These efforts ensure TÜV SÜD America remains abreast of evolving regulations, promoting safety and compliance.  

Homologation experts are vital for navigating the complexities of different regulatory frameworks and achieving compliance. To find more information please check out our latest updates here.

Choose TÜV SÜD for a future of mobility that prioritizes safety, quality, and innovation. Let's drive together towards a secure and sustainable automotive future.