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Regulatry Framework

India has established itself as a global automotive powerhouse, contributing 7.1% to the nation’s GDP and nearly half (49%) of its manufacturing GDP[1]. Today, India ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy and holds a dominant position in the automotive sector with 3rd largest passenger and commercial vehicle market, and the largest two & three -wheelers manufacturing base in the world . These strengths position India to become a key player in the global automotive market and one of the largest automobile manufacturing hubs worldwide.

Automotive regulations and policy implementation play a pivotal role in the rapid transformation, of the auto industry in India. SIAM works closely with relevant ministries, contributing significantly to policy formulation and implementation.

In India the automotive regulations are governed by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) which is the nodal ministry for regulation of the automotive sector in India. Along with MoRTH, ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests and Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas also have a vital role in the formulation of automotive regulations and standards in India.

Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR),1989, are principal instruments governing motor vehicles in the country. The Act governs emission norms and safety standards in India and consolidates the law pertaining to motor vehicles registration, driver's license, control of traffic, construction & maintenance of motor vehicles, etc.

To involve all the stakeholders in regulation formulation, MoRTH constituted three Committees to deliberate and advise Ministry on issues relating to Safety and Emission Regulations, namely –

  • CMVR- Technical Standing Committee (CMVR-TSC)
  • Standing Committee on Implementation of Emission Legislation (SCOE)
  • Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC)

The CMVR-TSC and SCOE recommend the safety standards and emission norms respectively for implementation by the MoRTH. The standards and norms that are finalized by the CMVR-TSC and based on the recommendations from CMVR-TSC and SCOE, MoRTH issues notification for necessary amendments / modifications in the in Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The finalized standards and norms are notified through General Statutory Rule/Statutory Order.

The Automobile Industry Standards Committee (AISC) assists CMVR-TSC in drafting safety-related technical standards.

Institutional Framework for Automotive Regulations

These committees advise MoRTH on various technical aspects related to CMVR. These committees have representatives from various organisations, namely, Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)), MoRTH, Bureau Indian Standards (BIS), testing agencies such as Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Vehicle Research Development & Establishment (VRDE), Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), industry representatives from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Tractor Manufacturers Association (TMA) and representatives from the State Transport Departments.

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Emission Regulation administration in India

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Major functions of the committees are--

  • To provide technical clarification and interpretation of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules having a technical bearing to MoRTH, as and when so desired.
  • To recommend to the Government the international standards which can be used in lieu of standards notified under the CMVR, and to permituse of components/parts/assemblies complying with such standards.
  • To make recommendations on any other technical issue(s) which have direct relevance tothe implementation of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
  • To make recommendations on the new safety standards of various components for notification and implementation under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
  • To make recommendations on the lead time required for implementation of such safety standards
  • To recommend amendments to Central Motor Vehicles Rules having a technical bearing, keeping in view the changes in automobile technologies

Safety Regulation administration in India

 

CMVR-TSC is assisted by another committee called the Automotive Industry Standards Committee comprising of members from various stakeholders in drafting the technical standards related to vehicular safety. The major functions of the committee are as follows:

  • Prepare new standards for automotive items related to safety.
  • Review and recommend amendments to the existing standards.
  • Recommend the adoption of such standards to the CMVR Technical Standing Committee
  • Recommend commissioning of testing facilities at appropriate stages.
  • Recommend the necessary funding of such facilities to the CMVR Technical Standing Committee, and
  • Advise the CMVR Technical Standing Committee on any other issues referred to it.

Based on the recommendations from CMVR-TSC and SCOE, MoRTH issues notifications for necessary amendments / modifications in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules.

In addition, other ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) and Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources are also involved in the formulation of regulations related to emissions, noise, fuels and alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

 

Safety Regulation administration in India

The Indian Standards for the Automotive Industry are prepared by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The standards formulated by AISC are also transformedinto Indian Standards by BIS. The standards formulated by both BIS and AISC are considered by CMVR-TSC for implementation.

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Standing Committee on Implementation of Emission Legislation (SCOE) –

This Committee deliberates on the issues related to the implementation of emission regulations. Major functions of this committee are –

  • To discuss the future emission and noise norms
  • To recommend norms for in-use vehicles to MoRTH
  • To finalise the test procedures and the implementation strategy for emission norms
  • To advise MoRTH on any issue relating to the implementation of emission and noise regulations

Type Approval Procedure in India

Under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, every motor vehicle manufacturer (except trailers and semi-trailers) must submit the vehicle prototype for testing by an authorized agency to obtain a compliance certificate. This requirement has been mandatory since April 1, 1991.

Technical advice on CMVR matters is provided by the CMVR–Technical Standing Committee (CMVR-TSC), which includes representatives from MHI, BIS, testing agencies like ICAT and ARAI, and collaborates with industry bodies such as SIAM, ACMA, TMA, and State Transport Departments.

Conformity of Production(COP) for Emissions:

This Committee deliberates on the issues related to the implementation of emission regulations. Major functions of this committee are –

  • The test agency randomly selects a vehicle at specified intervals from the factory.
  • Running in, and servicing prescribed in the manual are carried out on this vehicle under the supervision of the test agency.
  • Emission tests (mass emission and tailpipe emission) are carried out by the test agency. Manufacturers must adhere to procedures like AIS-149 for fuel consumption, with failures leading to corrective actions or withdrawal of approval, ensuring product quality post-certification.
  • COP provisions provide for extended trials and recall in the case of failure.
  • Applies to vehicles, engines, and safety-critical components, ensuring all sold units meet standards, not just the initial type-approved samples.

Relevant Standards/Procedures:

  • AIS-149: For Constant Speed Fuel Consumption norms of commercial vehicles.
  • AIS-037: For Type Approval & CoP of safety-critical components.
  • AIS-017 (Part 6): For Whole Vehicle Safety Conformity.

 

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)

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