How to Obtain Type Approval for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Body Conversions (M2-M3)?

Multi-stage manufacturing is quite common in the bus industry, especially for tourism transportation. One of the most preferred brands by manufacturers is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. In this article, we will summarize the type approval processes for body conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel vans and chassis vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Body Conversion Processes

First, as a bus manufacturer, you must ensure that your production meets the criteria for M2 and M3 category vehicles. You need to complete your quality management system and homologation processes.

Preparation Phase

The first step is to complete the administrative procedures required for type approval. There are specific regulations that you must follow, both from Mercedes-Benz and the approval authority. For instance, your quality management system should include a production manual that details the vehicle’s manufacturing process from start to finish. Additionally, all control stages from the supply process to product delivery should be defined within your quality management system.

As a manufacturer, your initial step is to secure a CERON agreement. You can gain access to the CERON system, which Mercedes-Benz uses to share information with bodybuilders, for a fee. However, this process must be conducted through a dealer or distributor.

Administrative Procedures with the Approval Authority

It is advantageous to work towards obtaining European Union type approval. Therefore, all your administrative documents must be complete and in accordance with the requirements of the authority you will be working with in Europe. Examples of administrative procedures include the ISO 9001 certificate, trademark registration, basic commercial company documents, declarations, and forms.

Vehicle Preparation and Test Planning

In the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter body conversion type approval process, you should have a production and sales plan. Based on this plan, vehicle preparation and test planning should be carried out.

The following questions may impact your process:

• Will the vehicle undergo extension?
• Is an increase in the maximum gross weight required?
• What is your target maximum passenger capacity?

Such questions help in process planning. In this process, which involves approximately 15 regulations, detailed checks are conducted for each. For example, if no vehicle extension is required or if there is no increase in maximum gross weight, some tests may not be necessary. However, the manufacturer will still be subject to various tests to ensure compliance with the category requirements.

Some of the relevant regulations include ECE R107, ECE R14, ECE R16, ECE R80, and ECE R155.

Once the sales target is established, the test plan becomes clear. Sometimes, a single vehicle is not sufficient for all the tests. We work closely with the manufacturer to ensure proper vehicle preparation.

We then conduct regulatory tests in several stages. These tests typically take about 5 days in total but are carried out in segments. Generally, all tests are completed within a month, with processes taking place at different laboratories.

For example, while a seat test may be conducted in one laboratory, the final vehicle inspection may be carried out at the manufacturer’s site.

Another part of the process is the inspection of the production site. An initial assessment of production suitability is carried out by the technical service authorized by the approval authority. This process is conducted simultaneously with the test preparation phase. Initially, many criteria are checked through documentation.

Submission of Applications and Approval

Once the administrative and technical processes are completed, we prepare an application file. This file includes potential layouts for production, technical details, and administrative documents.

The application file is submitted to the technical service, which then submits it along with the test reports to the approval authority.

Following the review of these applications, the body conversion type approval certificate is issued.

Once the approval is granted, the manufacturer issues a second-stage Certificate of Conformity (COC) for each vehicle. This COC is then used for vehicle registration. For more detailed information on the COC, please refer to our related article.

Extensions and COP

The most critical aspects of the body conversion type approval process are scope extensions and production conformity.

As the manufacturer, you must regularly update your certification in line with the type approval levels of the base vehicle, in this case, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. For example, if you have a type approval certificate at the e1*2007/46*0296*22 level, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter’s type approval changes to 0296*23, you must also update your certificate.

Additionally, scope extensions may be required due to changes in administrative and technical processes or regulatory amendments.

By complying with these processes, you can continue production in line with current standards.

Another critical factor is production conformity. Once you have obtained your type approval certificate, you are declaring that each vehicle produced complies with the regulations. This declaration is subject to audits.

These audits are known as COP, or Conformity of Production. Here, every vehicle produced since your initial certification is assessed based on the requirements of your quality management system. The checks initially conducted on empty documents during the initial assessment now involve verifying records.

Certain tests need to be repeated periodically.

This entire process is referred to as COP. As a manufacturer, you must always be prepared for audits.

We have tried to explain the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter body conversion type approval process as simply as possible. This process typically takes between 4 to 6 months.

We provide homologation consultancy services for certification processes. Please contact us with any questions or for quotations.