Flammability Test According to VSTD 19-1 for VSCC Certification in Taiwan
20. January 2022The Taiwanese car market offers many opportunities for foreign carmakers. Over the past eight years, the number of new registrations has steadily increased, reaching a record number of new registrations in 2020 despite the pandemic. Vehicle manufacturers wishing to export to Taiwan must apply for a VSCC Taiwan Certification and meet the Taiwanese regulations in accordance with their Vehicle Safety Certification Center (VSCC). The process to obtain approval in Taiwan involves submitting applications and supporting documentation, testing of relevant parts according to Taiwan’s Vehicle Safety Testing Direction (VSTD).
What are the VSTD’s?
The Taiwan Ministry of Transportation (MoTC) issues the testing standards and entrusts the VSCC with their review and enforcement as a prerequisite for approval for the Taiwan market.
For this purpose, all tests must be conducted either by an accredited technical service with its own test laboratory or in a test laboratory approved by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC).
Comparability
Although the VSTD compliant tests bear a close resemblance to the international ECE regulations, ECE tests are not recognized by the VSCC as interchangeable. Only tests according to VSTD are allowed.
One of the largest areas for testing is the flammability test for interior parts: 19. Flammability of the interior materials for motor vehicle.
The VSTD 19-1 for flammability tests is based on the UN ECE Regulation: UN R118 02-S3.
The VSTD specifies how the interior trim parts to be tested, the preparation of test samples, the test circumstances, the behavior that the test pieces must exhibit to pass the test and the exact requirements for the testing apparatus.
Test samples with a size of 100 mm by 355 mm with a maximum thickness of 13 mm, should not burn more than 100 mm per minute in the combustion chamber. It is required to perform the test on five separate test pieces.
The test standard specifies that all trim components of the passenger compartment in a vehicle fall into this category. Insulating materials that would be potentially flammable would also need to be tested.
Non-flammable parts, such as those made of glass or metal do not need to be tested.
In addition to testing, a company registration is also required. Due to the strict requirements of VSCC there are many formalities that should be considered during the registration process. Registration problems can cause delays and additional costs. Professional VSCC consultants will help avoid delays and problems by streamlining the process through proper planning and with their connections at the certification authority and test labs.
If you still have questions about the process or you would like to have your product checked for VSCC certification requirements, please feel free to contact us.
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