Cabinet of Ministers Approves New Euro-Integration Technical Regulation for Automotive Industry

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has officially adopted a new euro-integration technical regulation that pertains to the construction of wheeled vehicles, specifically cars, buses, motorcycles, trailers, and semi-trailers. This significant decision was confirmed through Cabinet Resolution No. 389, dated March 25, 2026, which has already been published on the Government Portal.

The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine emphasized that the new technical regulation applies solely to the production of new vehicles and not to those already in operation. This step is crucial for aligning Ukrainian legislation with European standards, as part of Ukraine's commitments on its path to euro-integration.

According to representatives from the ministry, the new technical regulation sets forth the standards by which vehicles and their components are manufactured. In the context of Ukraine's movement towards European Union membership, this process must comply with EU requirements and standards, which is particularly relevant in light of contemporary challenges.

“Currently, Ukraine has requirements for only 30 vehicle systems. In the EU, such requirements are established for 75 systems. This indicates that Ukraine has implemented less than 40% of the norms in the area of vehicle safety and construction. The updated technical regulation aims to significantly reduce this gap,” stated officials from the Ministry of Community Development.

The new regulation introduces a number of modern safety requirements for roads that are already in effect in the European Union. Among these are automatic emergency braking systems (AEBS), emergency call systems (eCall), new lighting, signaling, and braking system requirements, as well as updated passenger protection standards, including safety measures during road traffic accidents.

In addition, the new rules provide for the protection of vehicles from cyberattacks and thefts, including requirements for systems that prevent unauthorized access, which is an important aspect in today's world where cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical.

Environmental standards are also being introduced, incorporating modern requirements regarding CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, and energy efficiency, particularly according to WLTP standards. This will help reduce the negative impact of vehicles on the environment and promote a transition to more eco-friendly transportation.

For several systems, such as brakes, seat belts, lighting, and child seats, standards are being updated to EU levels, which will enhance road safety. New approaches to vehicle certification are also being introduced, including for electric and hybrid cars, aligning with current market demands.

An important aspect of the new technical regulation is the change in the certification rules for parts related to the aforementioned vehicles. This includes the digitization of the procedure to prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Specifically, mandatory photographic documentation of vehicle testing will be implemented, and all certificates of compliance and testing protocols will be entered into a special Register that has already been established. This will allow for the verification of the authenticity of certificates and tests.

The resolution will come into effect six months after its publication, effectively in September 2026. The Ministry of Community Development stressed that the adoption of the technical regulation is a significant step towards integration into the European transport space, enhancing transport safety for drivers and passengers, and simplifying access for Ukrainian vehicles to the EU market. This opens up opportunities for mutual recognition of certificates and integration into European systems.

Earlier, it was reported that EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, sent a letter to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, listing the reforms that Ukraine must implement to unlock the provision of €4 billion in assistance under the Ukraine Facility program.