Current automotive standards
In the automotive sector ...
... Austrian standardisation focuses on high safety levels, careful planning and thoroughly designed components so that top quality and safety are ensured on the road.
- Credit: ASI prm
Heavy traffic flows ...
... through the country or only on shortest distances. Standards around vehicles, fuels and transhipment define minimum requirements. One thing is clear, however: international standards prevail. Austria’s national standardisation focuses on special domains as well as products supplied to automotive manufacturers and can boast its strong integration into national legislation.
The Road Traffic Code as well as the Motor Vehicles Act and its implementing ordinance provide the legal basis for the reliability and safety of vehicles on Austrian roads.
European standards on electrical vehicles, safe combustion engines and tanks for transporting dangerous goods cover the production side of the automotive industry. The challenge addressed by Austrian experts is the development of standards on specialised subjects.
- Credit: ASI prm
Safety on ice and snow
A key aspect is safety on snow-covered roads in winter. Experts drew up national standards on snow chains and alternative wheel-slide protection devices. Quality criteria for anti-freeze used in cooling systems and washer additives are laid down in Austrian standards.
Road vehicles:
ÖNORM V 5117: Snow chains for smaller vehicles
ÖNORM V 5119: Snow chains for bigger vehicles
ÖNORM V 5121: Wheel-slide protection devices
ÖNORM EN 12972: Tanks for transporting dangerous goods – testing, inspection and marking
- Credit: ASI prm
The world of automotive fuels ...
... is governed by international rules. These are complemented by special national test methods that are important for testing institutes in Austria as well as by the only standard on super-ethanol available in Europe.
Automotive fuels:
ÖNORM EN 228: Unleaded petrol
ÖNORM EN 589: Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
ÖNORM EN 590: Diesel
ÖNORM C 1114: Super-ethanol E85
- Credit: ASI prm
Transhipment
Although Austria does not have a major transhipment centre like the port of Rotterdam, experts have developed a special series of standards on the planning of transhipment terminals that is unparalleled across Europe.
Thereby, the interface between transport modes – road, rail and water – is optimised. Regional challenges, such as floods, were taken into account in these planning standards.
This series complements the specifications of International and/or European Standards on loading units, container sizes and safety aspects. Speaking of safety, a national standard defines stringent requirements for securing cargo during transport.
Freight transport:
ÖNORM V 5750: Securing cargo during transport
ÖNORM B 4920: Planning of terminals for the transhipment of goods (6 parts)
ÖNORM EN 12195: Load restraint assemblies on road vehicles (4 parts)
