The 94/20 EC law applies to all new light passenger vehicles which have a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA) Certificate of Conformity.These vehicles have an 'e' mark on the VIN plate along with the maximum car and trailer weight/mass. If the VIN plate does not specify a trailer weight/mass, then the vehicle is not permitted to tow by law. Within the United Kingdom all vehicles with EWVTA first registered on or after 01/08/1998 requires a type approved 94/20 EC towbar.      
The aim of this legislation is to provide a level playing field throughout the EC and allow free trade of motor vehicles and their components in all member states, irrespective of where a towbar is manufactured, as long as it's 94/20 EC approved. The approval consists of designing the towing bracket to locate all of the vehicle manufacturer's recommended fitting points and then testing the towbar through a punashing 2 million cycles after which the towbar must not show any signs of deformation or cracking. Once approval has been granted, a unique authorisation number is allocated and it is clearly marked on the towbar, if it is not displayed it may not have been tested or approved.
If you fit, or have fitted a Type Approved towbar it will not invalidate the vehicle warranty. Under EC Block Exemption Rules a motor vehicle manufacturer cannot prevent an authorised outlet from supplying or fitting components deemed to be of equal quality to that supplied by the vehicle manufacturer such as a Type Approved towbar.

For further information on Type Approval please see our Questions & Answers section.
EP Towing 15 Haymaker Way Saughall  Chester  CH1 6AR   Tel:01244 881609