Clarification of amendment to Circular 0-4-6

This update clarifies clause 10.6 requirements for recently issued Administrator’s Circular 0-4-6 (Issue 4, June 2018).

Circular 0-4-6 was amended to include arrangements for SSM Light Vehicles that have been subject to a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) upgrade under Clause 10.

The guidance provided by the Circular 0-4-6 applies to Light Vehicles that includes NA (GVM up to 3.5 tonnes) and NB1 (GVM over 3.5 tonnes and up to 4.5 tonnes) category vehicles.

The revised circular applies to new applications and new amendments to existing Identification Plate Approvals (IPAs). The Circular will not affect the existing IPAs held by the second stage manufacturers. Existing IPA holders can continue to supply to the market vehicles covered by the approved Road Vehicle Descriptors (RVDs). This includes vehicles where the approved RVD has variants that exceed the first stage manufacturer’s Gross Combination Mass (GCM) rating or Rated Towing Capacity or Maximum Braked Towing Mass rating. The second stage manufacturers need to ensure that the current approved RVDs should refer to the current approved RVDs for the first stage manufacturer.

The option of GCM or towing capacity upgrade may be available to consumers in some State/Territory jurisdictions, after the vehicle is supplied to the market.

Administrator's Circulars

Circular 0-4-6 titled Certification of Vehicles which have undergone a Second-Stage-of-Manufacture has been has been amended to formalise current business practice for Approvals issued to GVM upgrade suspension manufacturers.

Circulars 0-2-13, Certification of New Low Production Passenger Cars (MA Category) has been amended to formalise current business practice for Approvals issued to boutique manufacturers under the LPPC scheme. The Circular grants exemptions from compliance to Pole side impact ADR 85; Esc and AEB requirements. The amended Circular also includes requirements for compliance to  new ADRs that have been gazetted since the last issue.

Compliance Obligations under the MVSA 1989

The Department has released two more new factsheets aimed at informing approval holders of their obligations in the design control process PDF: 338 KB  and the requirement of fitting emergency exits to double decker buses PDF: 195 KB .

The factsheets outline the compliance obligations in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) by encouraging voluntary compliance, undertaking informed risk-based activities and applying proportionate enforcement responses when non-compliance is detected.

If you have any questions about this fact sheet, please contact the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch by emailing heavyvehicles@infrastructure.gov.au.