Automotive ADR testing and compliance

All vehicles imported into Australia must undergo ADR inspection by an authorised compliance engineer who certifies that they comply with ADR regulations. This is regardless of whether the vehicles are manufactured in Australia or are new or second-hand vehicles being imported. If manufacturers fail to demonstrate ADR compliance, they will lose market access, cutting off any potential for automotive sales within Australia. 

The Australian Design Rules (ADRs) contain Australia’s national standards for vehicle safety, theft resistance and emissions. These ADR regulations cover a range of aspects regarding vehicle safety and compliance. This includes occupant protection, structure, lighting, noise, braking, and exhaust emissions.

The ADRs are largely based on and aligned with the ECE regulations, enacted by the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations. However, instead of using the ECE type approval system, manufacturers self-certify ADR compliance for their vehicles and components. This follows the self-certification system in the United States. 

Vehicles imported into Australia must undergo ADR inspection by an authorised engineer who certifies their compliance with ADR regulations. TÜV SÜD helps automotive manufacturers and suppliers identifying the applicable ADR vehicle requirements and partner with you through ADR testing, self-certification and compliance process.

Recognised as a leading global service provider of mobility services, we have more than a century of automotive testing and certification experience. Our global team of experts are always up to date with the latest changes to ADR compliance requirements and have in-depth knowledge of the ADR testing and certification process.

Using our in-depth understanding of ADR regulations allows us to create a tailored homologation plan according to your needs. We help you identify the correct vehicle category according to ADR and highlight the respective ADR regulations that must be fulfilled. This reduces costs and accelerates time-to-market, ultimately saving you both time and money.

Our homologation experts' partner with you throughout the testing, self-certification and compliance process for seamless entry into the Australian market. As part of the testing process, we provide you with a framework that ensures your compliance with ADR certification.

TÜV SÜD’s ADR homologation expertise and our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories allow us to support leading automotive OEMs worldwide successfully to utilise the potential of the Australian automotive market.

We are fully authorised by Australia as a testing oversight body. Our homologation experts support OEMs and suppliers along the entire ADR homologation process, from registration and testing to the final application for vehicle approval.

We support with:

• Manufacturer registration - We support you with preparing the documents that are required to register your company in Australia.
• Vehicle and component testing - We offer a complete range testing services according to ADR standards and witnessing services of ADR tests. 
• Homologation services - We work with you to ensure that you meet the necessary ADR regulatory requirements, and that all necessary documents are provided to gain access to Australia’s automotive market. We also support you to communicate effectively with local authorities.
• Multi-regulation management - We support you to understand and identify any overlaps with other regulations, such as ECE for Europe - which is partly similar to ADR - to maximise the efficiency of your homologation plans. We also ensure that you stay up to date with evolving regulatory requirements so that you can achieve multiple certifications within one project.