TAC Approval—standing for Type Approval Certificate—is a mandatory certification for automobiles and automotive components in India that confirms compliance with technical, safety, and environmental standards set by regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Key Facts about TAC Approval for Automobile:
- Definition: TAC is an official document certifying that a vehicle or component meets all applicable standards (AIS – Automotive Industry Standards) and regulatory requirements. It is required prior to the sale or commercial use of the product in India.
- Scope: Applies to entire vehicles (2-, 3-, 4-wheelers, commercial vehicles, etc.) and critical components such as safety glass, tires, seat belts, brake hoses, lighting, batteries, and electronic systems.
- Purpose: Ensures roadworthiness, safety, environmental compliance, and quality. Only products with valid TAC approval can be registered and used on Indian roads.
- Who issues it: Testing agencies approved by MoRTH, primarily:
TAC Approval Process:
- Application Submission: The manufacturer, importer, or trader submits an application with all supporting technical documents and details of the product.
- Testing: Vehicles/components are tested at an approved test facility for compliance with AIS/CMVR requirements (safety, emissions, electromagnetic compatibility, etc.).
- Factory Inspection: Authorities may conduct an audit of the manufacturing facility to inspect processes and verify submitted information.
- Certification/Issuance: Upon successful testing and compliance, the Type Approval Certificate (TAC) is issued.
- Marking & Labelling: Approved products must be properly labelled indicating their certification.
- Conformity of Production (CoP): Ongoing audits and sample testing may be mandated to ensure continued compliance after initial approval.
- Timeline: Approx. 1 month for Indian manufacturers; 2 months or more for foreign manufacturers, subject to documentation and testing cycles.
Who must obtain TAC Approval:
- Domestic manufacturers of vehicles/automotive components
- Importers importing products for the Indian market
- Foreign companies with business operations or product sales in India
Legal Basis:
- Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989
- Automotive Industry Standards (AIS), based on international UNECE regulations
In summary, TAC Approval (Type Approval Certificate) is a legally required process for certifying that automobiles and related components comply with Indian government safety, quality, and environmental requirements, without which market entry or vehicle registration is not permitted
License / Certification
Registration
Auxiliary